Over the festive season, thousands of people across the UK took part in the annual walking challenge event, undertaking walks varying from 1-100 miles to raise funds to support those homeless and vulnerable veterans, suffering from mental health problems, social isolation and unemployment.
Fundraising opportunities could be as creative as participants choose, with activities including everything from hand-delivering presents, walking home to see relatives for the festive season, organising a work social event, or even supporting local veterans to enjoy a day out in their community.
This was the fifth year that Birketts raised monies for this wonderful cause, with walkers from the Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich offices taking part.
- Chelmsford - on Friday 13 December, colleagues from the Chelmsford office set off at 12.30pm and walked approximately 3.5 miles along the Race4Business route.
- Cambridge – on Monday 16 December, colleagues from the Cambridge office set off from Station Road at 5.45pm and walked 3.5 miles to Regent Street.
- Ipswich – on Monday 16 December, colleagues from the Ipswich office set off at 5.30pm and undertook a walk of 8 miles.
- Norwich – the Kingfisher House employees set up two walks. The first 3 mile walk took place on Thursday 12 December at lunchtime. The second challenge on Monday 16 December, the now traditional walk back to Wymondham, started at 4.30pm with participants walking up to 13 miles.
Jonathan Agar, CEO of Birketts, commented: “I’m extremely proud that Birketts’ colleagues once again participated in this wonderful initiative. Donating to Walking With The Wounded directly supports the most vulnerable ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen in our community, helping to get those who have given everything to their country in to the employment, accommodation and mental health care programmes that will restore their independence.”
Andy Sloan, Walking With The Wounded Events and Partnerships Manager added: “For the last five years, Birketts has consistently supported the most at-risk veterans across the UK. Christmas, with all its social and financial pressures, can be a difficult time for ex-servicemen and women with mental health issues, or who are unemployed or homeless. We hope many more people will be inspired to follow Birketts’ brilliant example and get fundraising in the charity’s 10th anniversary year to support those who have walked in far more dangerous places for us.”
You can still sponsor the Birketts walkers, or pre-register to take part yourself in 2020, at https://www.walkinghomeforchristmas.com/teams/birketts-llp-2