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Mark Dawes

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🌿 Walking for Peace — From Service to Support

On 8th March 2026, I’m walking 10 miles — not just as a physical challenge, but as a deeply meaningful tribute to the many veterans in the UK who continue to carry invisible wounds long after their uniforms come off. 

This date marks 49 years to the day I first joined the Royal Navy as a 16-year-old recruit, a journey that changed my life forever.

I’ve chosen this day, not just to honour my own service, but to stand with those who once stood for us, the veterans who wake up every day battling PTSD, anxiety, depression, trauma and memories that refuse to rest. 

We talk about bravery in the face of danger; it takes an equally courageous heart to face what’s inside.

I’ve been moved by a remarkable story unfolding thousands of miles away right now about a group of Buddhist monks walking across the United States, step by step, for peace, compassion and healing. 

These monks have undertaken a 2,300-mile peace walk, hundreds of miles at a time, through cities and countryside alike, inviting people to reflect, soften, and connect with peace within themselves and their communities.

They do not march for politics, they do not march for attention — they walk in silence, in mindfulness, in an offering of peace itself. 

That simple idea — that every step can carry purpose — has deeply inspired me in my own preparation for March in March.

In my own way, I’m taking that lesson to heart, putting one foot in front of the other on 8th March to raise vital funds so Combat Stress can continue its life-changing work with UK veterans. 

Combat Stress provides specialist treatment, round-the-clock helpline support, peer groups and clinical care that gives veterans a safe place to recover and rebuild.

This walk isn’t about endurance, it’s about bringing peace home for veterans who have given so much. 

It’s about saying, “You are seen, you are supported, you deserve care.”

👉 Please consider donating. Every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference, and for companies interested in supporting this mission, your donations are 100% tax-deductible, which is a powerful way to make a lasting impact while supporting your community.

Whether you donate, share this page with friends and colleagues, or take a moment to learn more about veterans’ mental health, your support matters. Let’s bring a little peace, hope and healing to those who have served.

Thank you for walking this path with me. ❤️

👉 Donate here: https://events.combatstress.org.uk/fundraisers/markdawes/marchinmarch

We Made The Local News


Our local newspaper, the Hayling Herold, did an article on my walk for 'March in March'. I hope it boosts donations to support the excellent work Combat Stress does in helping UK veterans.

You can read the full article on page 3 of the online paper here - https://www.haylingherald.co.uk/

We're in The Portsmouth News


I've recently been featured in the Portsmouth News and you can read the full article here -

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/royal-navy-sub-lieutenant-charity-march-veterans-portsmouth-5474972

Change of Route


I was initially going to walk the ten miles from Hayling Island to Portsmouth, visiting various places that my colleagues and I frequented when I was in the Royal Navy. 

Now I'm adding a few more miles to the route. 

I'm now going to walk from Hayling Island, across Portsmouth, then get the ferry to Gosport (get a bit of sea time in 😂) and then walk from Gosport to Lee on Solent, aiming to get to The Bun Penny Pub (near what was HMS Daedalus) for around 1.30pm - 2pm.

Picture is of me 49 years ago passing out at HMS Raleigh (I'm the one at the front on the left).

8th March 2026 - 49 Years Since I Joined the RN - My Walk for Combat Stress in Memory of Mick Lamb

On the 8th March this year I will be undertaking a 10 mile walk for Combat Stress to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.

The reason I have chosen the 8th March 2026 to do this is because it will be 49 years to the day that I joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16.

I'm also walking in remembrance of my friend Mick Lamb who unexpectedly passed away a couple of years ago. He was a great friend and a great guy and I'll be walking past some of the places that we drank in in Portsmouth and I'll probably pop in for a swift one in your memory buddy. 

I'm also walking to remember another dear friend, Marc Wilkinson, who was a veteran and friend of mine that Combat Stress helped. 

If any of you would like to support my walk that would be most kind and you can click the link below to make a small donation.

https://events.combatstress.org.uk/fundraisers/markdawes/marchinmarch

#combatstress #royalnavy #walking #charity #PTSD #mentalhealth #veterans #donate

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!

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Uk Pods Lyd

£212

Cathy & Mario Garcia

Great cause Mark!!!

£180

Helen Wellington

Ha!!!....You have succeeded in reaching your £250 goal! I now hope you gain so much more in donations... and can double your target!!! A very worthy cause ...and a wonderful idea to help those in need. X

£121.90

Stephen Doyle

£53.32

Safer Handling

Well done Mark all the best Doug

£53.32

Peter Turner

£53.32

Bill Fox

Great charity, go well Mark

£53.32

Paul Keates

£50

Nick Paine

£50

Ian Lyons

Mark your an inspirational person and doing this for a worthy cause

£49.09

Mark Dawes

£49.09

Sandra Williams

£49

Malcolm Bull

£35.38

Debbie

Great idea Mark. X

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Neil Wray

Good luck Mark

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£35.38

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£33

Gary Boyes

You can never keep a good man down!

£32.23

Gill Lamb

You'll smash it....

£30

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£21.84

The Design Chat

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£21.84

Intelligensa

Good luck Mark.

£21.84

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£20.79

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£20.79

Michael Sanderson

£20.79

Jan Pitman

£20.79

Chris Reavley

£20.79

Helen Courtney

£20.33

James Akande

Learning effective techniques under Mark's leadership has helped me achieve stability as a front-line security officer for the NHS.

£20

Mrs B E Pengelly

£20

Ted Foulger

£20

Will Langmead

£20

Emma Carpenter

£11.33

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£11.33

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Jane Robinson

Such an amazing thing to do, thank you for always helping others.

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Grill Coney

Good on You Mark - Best wishes

£11.33

Bill Shannon

£11.33

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£11.33

Wullie Coyne

Great effort Mark🫡

£11.33

Chris Hague

Great Cause..

£10

Ruhel Miah

£10

Amanda

What a wonderful thing to do. Well done Mark x

£10

Janet Thomas

£10

Dawn Dines

£10

Lou Madine

£10

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£10

Nicola

Great cause, good luck and hope the Sun shines for you

£10

John Gridley

Well done Mark - Best wishes

£5

Cyn

I had ancestors die in the D-Day and the Civil War. Underlying currents of generational trauma are real.