Walk on Wales: £1million charity walk in aid of Welsh soldiers sets off from the Senedd
23 August 2013
An 870-mile charity walk around the Wales Coastal Path will set off from the Senedd steps on Sunday, 25 August.
It has been organised by Walk on Wales, a charity set up by two Falklands veterans, Captain Jan Koops and LSgt Dai Graham.
The walk aims to raise £1million for the charities Combat Stress and the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal.
Eleven relay teams will walk the entire length of the coastal path carrying a specially commissioned silver baton which is inscribed with the names of the 50 Welsh Guardsmen who have died serving their country since the end of the Second World War.
Deputy Presiding Officer, David Melding AM, who will walk the first couple of miles with the Walk on Wales team, said: “It is a great honour for the National Assembly for Wales to host the start of this journey around Wales.
“It is important that we recognise the sacrifice made by those who have served in the Armed Forces and that we provide the best care and help to those returning from conflict, as well as their families.
“Walk on Wales does a fantastic job and on behalf of everyone here at the Assembly, I would like to wish everyone taking part all the best ahead of their fundraising journey.”
Prior to the start of the walk, there will be performances from the band of the Welsh Guards and Treorchy Male Choir, in front of the Senedd, from 13.00 onwards on 25 August.
The former Chief of the Defence Staff Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank will also be in attendance.
Co-Founder of Walk on Wales, Jan Koops, is one of a small group who will be walking the entire 870 miles.
The former Welsh Guards Officer said: “This is a very personal journey of remembrance for me. It's a pilgrimage that I have wanted to do for many years.
"Too many of my fellow soldiers died in the Falklands and many more still suffer from the impact of that conflict and conflicts since. I hope that this walk will allow us to acknowledge those who died and help those who are in need.
"The sustained intensity of operations in Afghanistan means that we must be braced for many more cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and people needing help in the future.
“Our aim is to make sure that services are provided, not just for Welsh Guards, but for all Welsh soldiers within Wales to help provide on-the-ground help for our soldiers."