The latest edition of the Grenadier Walk of Oman, reimagined in the UK, has reached the finish line in London.
Organised by Walking with the Wounded (WWTW), the expedition saw six former soldiers, all with mental or physical wounds walk 300 km in stages across the UK, starting at Pen-Y-Fan in Wales and finishing at the Anglo-Omani Society in central London on Thursday.
Prince Harry, who is patron of Walking with the Wounded, rang the team from his Santa Barbara mansion, as they neared the finish line to offer words of encouragement and congratulation.
“Guys just remember, you have got to hold on to this moment, you have got to hold on to this feeling.
“Because it doesn’t matter where you walk, or what you are doing. When inevitably we all end up feeling down, a little bit dark, in the weeks, months and years to come, you will remember back to this. Lean on this experience to pick yourselves up,” he said.
The team was supported by a Grenadier vehicle for parts of the route. Due to various physical injuries, some team members only walked part of the route — overcoming their individual situations to achieve what they can.
The trek was originally to be held in the Omani desert, however, due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, they crossed the UK, walking the equivalent distance of 10 marathons in 12 days.
The Grenadier Walk of Oman is aimed at raising funds and awareness for Walking With The Wounded’s employment, mental health, care coordination and volunteering programmes supporting veterans and their families to get back on their feet and contribute in their communities once more.
“The Grenadier Walk of Oman expedition team has faced an incredibly uplifting and gruelling journey to reach the finish line in London,” said Fergus Williams, CEO of WWTW.
According to him, the team walked from Wales across the country to the Capital of UK, faced the best of British weather, and worked together and helped each other when things got tough.
“Our expeditions demonstrate that veterans can still achieve at the highest level after they have left a career in the Armed Forces, they raise awareness of the vital work that Walking With The Wounded does and they provide inspiration to those coping with physical and mental injuries,” he said.
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