On Saturday, May 14^th, over 130 teams gathered in Grasmere, in the Lake District, to take part in the ‘Cumbrian Challenge’- WWTW's flagship fundraising event.  
The much-loved weekend, now in its 9^th year, has seen over 1,200 teams take on the Cumbrian Fells above Grasmere and raise more than £1.2 million to support veterans and their families through WWTW's Mental Health, Employment, Care Coordination and Volunteering programmes.  
So far this year the event has raised over £170,000 and fundraising is still coming in. 
A huge congratulations to this year's winners

On June 2nd this year, four teams representing Walking With The Wounded (‘WWTW’), will climb four of the UK’s highest peaks to light beacons to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The teams will climb Scafell Pike (England), Mount Snowdon (Wales), Ben Nevis (Scotland) and Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland).  Each team will be carrying a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee beacon which will be lit in tribute to Her Majesty The Queen between 9.15 pm to 9.45 pm. The WWTW teams will be led by Mountain Leaders provided by Challenge The Wild.

Powering up - East of England Energy Group partners with WWTW 

A significant new charity partnership between WWTW and the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) will help power a new regional hub to support veterans and their families.

The partnership will feature the creation of new employment pathways into the renewable energy industry in the East of England, highlighting the value of veterans, awareness of mental health across all employees and providing inspiring talks on resilience and leadership to EEEGR’s membership as well a number of fundraising challenges to fund WWTW’s programmes in the region.

Angela grew up in an Armed Forces family. Both of her parents served in the British Army. She trained in mental health care and has worked within acute mental health settings, supporting children, adults, and the elderly. 

She joins WWTW’s Support Care Coordination team that provides highly individual support tailored to each client. 

Commenting on her new role, Angela said, “I grew up in an Armed Forces family, my father served for 22 years and, because of this I have an acute understanding of what veterans go through when they leave a life of Service and join civvy street. I am looking forward to using my lived experience and professional experience to help to empower veterans and their families in the South East of England and make a positive difference to the lives of those who served and need support. The journey to wellbeing can be long but it is achievable with the right support and direction.”

 

Next month WWTW supporters across the UK will push themselves further than they have gone before to raise money for those who served.

WWTW supporter Briony, who has Cerebral Palsy,  has signed up for the challenge and will be cycling 20.5 miles using a Motomed exercise bike to raise funds to support veterans and their families. 

Commenting on the challenge, Briony said, "By using my Motomed exercise bike I have set myself a distance of 20.5 miles to cycle nonstop starting in Peebles in the Scottish Borders and finishing at the Dreghorn Barracks. I chose this route because I have a goal to raise awareness and funds for veterans by choosing a Barracks for each of my challenges. I will be taking on this challenge alone although I will have family to support me on the day."