100 mile hike for armed forces charity | Openreach

A tight-knit team of Openreach people have banded together to honour those who fell in the First World War with a 100-mile hike.

To mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, the team is raising funds for the oldest military charity, SSAFA, who were there supporting the troops and their families then, and still helping now.

Taking in historic battlefields

Departing on Thursday 8 November, the hike will start in Amiens and end at the Menin Gate, Ypres in Belgium in time for the last post on Sunday 11 November. The route will take in the battlefields of the Great War including Vimy, Arras, Albert and Langemark – where well over a million men lost their lives over the course of the bitter struggle.

The eight hikers make up part of our service delivery team in the South of the UK. We’ve pledged to support SSAFA’s Forcesline – a confidential helpline operating outside of the chain of command. This means that money raised by our people will directly support men and women in the armed forces’ family in need of a non-judgemental ear and guidance.

SSAFA uses a tailored approach to meet the needs of today’s serving community. Whether it’s practical, emotional and financial support – SSAFA is there to serve the armed forces’ family every step of the way.