Walking “The Western Front”.

(Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 16: 9 The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps)

My name is Alan Rutter and I am a reasonably fit 71 year old Chelsea Pensioner. I joined “The Middlesex Regiment” in 1966 and served for 20 years, leaving the army in 1986. I spent the next 35 years as a Social Worker, working in support of adults and children with “Special Needs”.

I have set myself a challenge to walk alone, the 610 mile battle line of The Western Front. I will start the walk from Dunkirk on the 4th of August
and, by God’s good grace, will finish at Pletterhouse on the borders of
Switzerland, Germany and France at the end of September.

 Why am I doing this you may ask? Am I mad? No I am not mad. I am doing it for a number of reasons; firstly, it is a way for me to express my admiration and thanks to all those young men and women who laid down their lives for our country during the horrific conflict of the First World War (We Will Remember Them). Secondly, it is an opportunity through sponsorship, to raise money for two worthwhile causes.

Please consider donating to both of my chosen charities equally. I would like half the money raised to go to the children’s charity, ‘War Child’, a charity that does magnificent work in supporting children living in war zones around the world, and the other half will go to  The Royal Hospital Chelsea, which provides a home for 300 retired “Old Soldiers”.

Lastly, I am doing it because I am not yet ready to put on my slippers and doze at the fireside. I love an adventure and this walk along the entire Western Front is just what the doctor ordered! I plan to walk a minimum of 10 miles a day. Most nights, I will sleep beneath God’s Heavenly Host in a bivvy bag (I have to minimise the weight I will have to carry), once or twice a week I will stay in a B&B in order to wash my clothes and have a much needed shower. I will post updates every few days to check in and give a brief account of my progress.

Will you help me achieve my goal? Perhaps you might like to walk with me for a few days (see route maps developed by the charity The Western Front Way, “A New Walking Route for Peace”). You could sponsor me, or you could just share my story with your family or friends, most importantly you could pray that God, in His mercy, will keep me safe and well and meet all my needs on this wonderful adventurous journey.

Many thanks,

Alan

www.Chelsea-Pensioners.org.uk

www.warchild.org.uk

www.thewesternfrontway.com