Gabriel Wharfe

11.5 Miles with My Dad: Why I Marched for Veterans

By Gabriel Wharfe (Age 11)

When my dad told me we were going to walk 11.5 miles for veterans’ mental health, I didn’t really know what to expect. It sounded like a long way — and it was — but I also knew it was for a really important reason.

We were doing it to help people who had served in the military and are now dealing with things like PTSD. My dad explained that even though they’re home, some of them are still fighting battles in their minds. That made me want to be part of it.

The Start of the Walk

We started early, up on a big hill where it was really windy. It felt like we were right up in the sky. There was me, my dad, my uncle Terry, and our friends Aaron and Darren.

At the beginning, everyone was in a good mood. We were joking around, but you could also tell we all knew we were doing something serious.

What I Saw Along the Way

One of the best parts for me was everything we saw.

We walked through woods covered in bluebells, which looked amazing, like a carpet of purple and blue. We saw deer running across the fields, which was really cool, and red kites flying above us. They looked like they were just floating in the wind.

We even found wild garlic growing, which I didn’t expect. It made me realise how much there is out there that you don’t notice normally.

Bluebell Camp

About halfway, we stopped for a break that we called “Bluebell Camp.”

This was probably my favourite part.

We made hot chocolate (which I definitely needed), and the others had coffee. We ate ration packs and just sat together for a bit. It felt like a proper little camp, even though we were only stopping for a short time.

It made me think about how important small breaks are when you’re doing something hard.

The Hard Part

The wind was strong pretty much the whole time, and it got really cold, especially on the hills. My legs started to hurt near the end, and I was definitely tired.

But I didn’t want to stop.

I kept thinking about why we were doing it. If people can go through much harder things, then I could keep going too.

Everyone helped each other, and we kept talking and laughing, which made it easier.

Finishing It

When we finally finished, I felt really proud.

Not just because I walked 11.5 miles, but because I did it for a reason. I did it to help people who need support.

Why It Matters to Me

Before this, I didn’t really understand what veterans go through after they leave the military.

Now I do a bit more.

It’s not just about what happens when they’re serving — it’s what happens after as well. And if walking 11.5 miles helps even a little bit, then it’s worth it.

What I Learned

I learned that:

• You can do more than you think you can
• Things are easier when you do them together
• Even small actions can help people in a big way

And I’d do it again.

Because it wasn’t just a walk.

It meant something.

Support my March in March

This year I will be taking on March in March to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.

Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.

I’m taking on March in March to help take vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.

Thank you so much for your support and together we march!