Wolf Pack Pilgrimage #5

On the 10th June we set off from the North West corner of England, ending up in the South East corner - 650 miles in total over 24 days.

Summary of this pilgrimage to follow…

About The Halo Trust

The HALO Trust's mission is to protect lives and restore livelihoods of those affected by conflict. They do this by clearing landmines and explosives from war-torn countries like Kosovo. Their work is vital and they are committed to finally make the land total safe for locals to return home.

Abedin Bujupi, is a school in Arllat, Kosovo, and was only 100 meters away a hazardous area heavily bombed in the Kosovo war. On the 21st June 1999 Lieutenant Gareth Evans & SSgt Balaram Rai, who where serving with NATO, alongside 3 locals Osman Krasniqi, Sami Gashi and Milaim Gashi were tragically killed whilst doing the brave and dangerous work of clearing the school site of hundreds of remaining NATO cluster bombs.

The Halo Trust are still discovering cluster submunitions used by NATO forces 25 years after the end of the war. Funds raised for the HALO Trust will be used to directly support the ongoing effort to finally clear the area of cluster bombs.

Donations received via this page will be shared with The Halo Trust and used to support and create unique experiences via mini pilgrimages and various standalone events for veterans & the wider community. Our aim is to make events accessible to everyone and it is to this end, funds will also be used to support veterans and their ability to attend future pilgrimages.

Our previous Wolf Pack Pilgrimages:

Wolf Pack Pilgrimage #4

North Downs Way

More of this pilgrimage to follow…

Wolf Pack Pilgrimage #3

Restart24

Restart24 was a simple concept; run, jog or walk 3 miles in a hour. The clock restarts every hour and the challenge lasted 24 hours. Each 3 miles completed within the hour are accumulated giving a total score over the 24 hours with a maximum of 72 miles…

All the blood, sweat and blisters didn’t go in vain, with all your kind donations going directly to Restart - The Players Charity.

The brilliant crew that took part: Chris Bajak, Jamie Howard, Charlie Keith, Seth Andrews, Ross Andrews, Fynn Page & Mum, Rayhan Wilson, Helen Crains, Alfie Oliver, Kev Barrett & Martin Simpson

And a special thank you to Paul Lazarus for looking after us throughout the night.

Wolf Pack Pilgrimage #2

Hadrian's Wall Pilgrimage

In the early hours of Saturday 17th June 2023, I set off from Bowness-on-Solway Cumbria with a small team with the aim of walking the entire 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall in the fastest possible time.

I arrived at the finishing point in Wallsend, Newcastle at dawn on Sunday,18 June 2023 in what could well be a World Record time for walking the 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall in one go - 27 hours and 20 minutes!

A World Record time of 31hours and 5 minutes was set in 2008 (reference 3), and I will conduct due diligence to establish if this time is still the official World Record.

Wolf Pack Pilgrimage #1

Perimeter of Wales Pilgrimage

On the 14th April 2023, I set off to cover the 1064 mile perimeter of Wales. The journey started at Chepstow Castle, I headed north up Offa's Dyke, before I turned west on to the Welsh Coastal Path, which I followed until I completed my journey back at Chepstow Castle on the 21st May 2023. I walked the entire perimeter of Wales in 38 days. The distance covered was the equivalent of over 40 marathons and 30 ascents of Mount Snowdon.

The remarkable journey around Wales enabled me to totally immerse myself in the breathtaking landscape and beautiful scenery, whilst creating a strong feeling of camaraderie with those that I met and with those who accompanied me on the way. By opening up to each other and establishing those connections, it helps to build a future with a positive outlook.

On the pilgrimage, I met up with good friend and Ocean Photographer Ross Andrews, at the beautiful north beach in Tenby where we produced a sand draw that gained local and national coverage (references 1,2).

On each of the challenges, I have been overwhelmed by the love and support I received, both from local communities and individuals who have either joined me on the walks and/or backed my journey in some way. The kindness and hospitality I have been shown is nothing short of amazing and I thank everyone who has helped out and been involved along the way.

My Story

I joined the Army at 17 and spent over two decades in the UK's Elite Airborne Forces with the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. I was deployed on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. I lived a dual aspect life, in that in between tours I was an elite sportsman, playing professional rugby for Gloucester, Harlequins and 7’s with the Barbarians and England.

Fast forward a decade, and I have learnt that my suppression of past events has manifested itself in my psyche and behaviours. Despite having a complete breakdown, I was still in denial as to my mental health issues, until recently having been clinically diagnosed with PTSD. My symptoms are not uncommon with others who are battling the same disorder - most notably I suffer from continuous intrusive thoughts from past experiences, ever increasing fogginess of mind, unwarranted negative thoughts about myself and hyper-vigilance to threats that simply don’t exist. These symptoms, together with the unsettling feeling of being on edge when I go to sleep, has resulted in an increasing need to self-isolate.

My refusal to admit I was struggling and lack of recognition for the need of help has had a significant detrimental effect on not only my own wellbeing, but also on the people I care for the most. However, as a former Airborne Solider, it is instilled within me to take a disciplined approach to resolving problems. As such, I am taking responsibility for my own recovery, drawing on the latest research to assist in my healing and the support of a caring community. I am determined and focussed on my mission to quieten the demons and help who I can along the way.

Thank you for your support,

Andy

Our Why?

Walking and support networks have been well researched and proven to improve mental health and wellbeing. The walk provides the perfect environment to meet and connect with friends old and new. Furthermore, we recognise that for many reasons, walking may not be possible for some, so arranging meet-ups along the way may help reduce the barriers to connecting and forming your own critical support network.

Sports clubs can often be an amazing source of comfort and support. If managed correctly these can literally change people’s lives for the better - for ever. For this reason, we will be stopping off at a host of venues to soak up the positive loving energy we all need.

Our Aims

• Dedicating crucial time to decompress for self-recovery.

• Connecting people with communities and sources of help in compassionate environments to help build positive futures.

• Sharing coping mechanisms/skills, and implementing the same, to enable us to live a more meaningful life.

• Adding value to the lives of others along the way.

• Raise funds for selected charity projects pertinent to the mission, through a transparent process.

Supported Charities

SAS Regimental Association

£6,650 Donated

The SAS Association's priority is, and always has been the welfare of its members, whilst promoting the well-being of its members, their dependants and to maintain the Regiment’s tradition and esprit de corps.

Restart - The Players Charity

£8630 Donated

SAMA 82

Task Force XV v Penguins rugby match 🏉🐿️

82 Miles in 24hrs - North Down Ways with Bro 😎

£13,724 Donated

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

£1,505 Donated