A group of veterans are going to walk 300 miles from Salford to Cornwall in memory of late soldier, Elijah Bond.

The walk will set off from The Veterans Garage, Eccles, on 1st November and will arrive on time for Remembrance Day.

Jay Redshaw, 29, said: “We’re walking from Manchester to Cornwall and it’s in memory of my friend who was killed in Afghanistan, his name is Elijah Bond. Every year we get a wreath and we walk down to his memorial which is in Mevagissey, Cornwall. At the same time, we’re trying to raise some funds and awareness.”

The group of 5 will travel to Mevagissey, Cornwall by foot and will sleep in the outdoors a long their travels.

The veterans have walked from Salford to Blackpool in preparation for their 307 mile walk.

Rowetta Satchell, singer from The Happy Mondays supported the men on Saturday 6th October by making an appearance before the group set off.

 

Rowetta, said: “It was a nice little turn out on a Saturday morning. I’ve got a second cousin who was in the army for years and he’s a veteran now so I know about a lot of the problems they have. Any chance they ask me to do it, I do what I can to help out.

“The people involved are absolutely lovely. They always ask me to do it, but I’m not a big walker so I really really have a lot of respect for the people that do.”

Elijah was a soldier serving in Afghanistan. He was injured on the 6th December 2011 by a blast from an improvised explosive device. Elijah’s colleagues provided immediate first aid, before being evacuated by helicopter. However, Elijah later died of his wounds on the 8th December 2011 at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham.

The veterans are looking to raise £15,000 to go towards The Veterans Garage, Combat Stress and ABF The Soldiers Charity. If you would like to donate money, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

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