Mission Accomplished

Walk to the Wall

5th June 2011

Yesterday the BHX Combined Service Veterans walked from Birmingham Airport to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, a distance of 25 miles all in aid of HomeFront Forces.

The event was organised by Lee Bradshaw Honorary Secretary of the Association and as well as veterans also included friends and colleagues from the Airport and friends from twitter.

The walking party left the airport in high spirits at 6.45am and the weather was perfect, as it was a dry, clear day. The back up team of supporters and first-aiders followed and stopped at agreed locations to provide snacks and drinks and first aid, mainly to sore, tired, blistered feet.

At 8.45 am Lee was interviewed on BBCWM Andrew Peach Show to talk about the challenge and how the group was progressing.

Later in the day Lee received a telephone call of support along with a generous donation from local MP John Hemming. At 12.30 pm the group were able to stop at John’s bungalow and received great hospitality and some more first aid.

At this point the group had the last eight miles to conquer before they would reach Alrewas and the welcoming party of Veteran Supporters, Family and also twitter friends.

The last eight miles were harder the sun was out the feet were suffering but the group stayed focused and were gratefully of the support teams encouragement over the last few hard miles.


At just after three the BHX Veterans reached Alrewas and the welcoming party it was then time to reflect and lay wreaths of remembrance. The group fell silent and were lost in their own thoughts.

HomeFront Forces is overwhelmed by the effort of the BHX Veterans and friends in raising awareness and funding to help the site to continue to develop.

It isn't too late to donate and support by going to our Just Giving Page

and find out more about the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas