Just after sunrise on 8th March, my son Billy and I set off walking from Hayling Island towards Portsmouth.
Our plan was simple: take part in March in March and raise funds for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
Several hours later we reached our destination - The Ship Anson on Portsmouth Hard - after walking 15 miles in 5 hours and 22 minutes.
The date made the walk especially meaningful for me. On 8th March 1977, at just 16 years old, I joined the Royal Navy. This year marked 49 years since that day, and walking to support fellow veterans felt like the perfect way to recognise that milestone.
Although we had originally planned to walk around ten miles, the journey naturally became a little longer. That gave me plenty of time to reflect, and one thought that stayed with me was the inspiration I once drew from a group of Buddhist monks who walked 2,300 miles across the United States in 108 days, praying for peace. Their journey showed the power of taking life one step at a time.
In many ways, recovery from trauma is very similar. For many veterans, the toughest battles begin after their military service ends. Conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression can affect every part of life. Organisations like Combat Stress provide specialist treatment and support to help veterans begin rebuilding their lives.
The walk was also deeply personal because I carried the memory of two friends with me along the way. One was Mick Lamb, a close friend who sadly passed away unexpectedly two years ago. The other was Marc Wilkinson, a veteran friend who was helped by Combat Stress. Both were very much in my thoughts throughout the journey.
What has been truly humbling has been the support from friends, family and others who donated and shared the fundraising page. Thanks to their generosity, the walk has raised over £2,800 so far to help Combat Stress continue providing life-changing treatment for veterans across the UK.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the walk.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is take a step forward, not just for ourselves, but for those who once stepped forward to serve our country. And if those steps help even one veteran begin their own journey towards recovery, then every mile walked has been worth it.
Mark Dawes
