Caithness cadets going the extra mile to help veterans' mental health
Army cadets from across Caithness will be going the extra mile this festive period to help improve the mental health of armed forces veterans.
The cadets from 1st Battalion The Highlanders have signed up to the Walking Home for Christmas Challenge, an annual initiative from the charity Walking With the Wounded to support its work with the NHS.
It seeks to empower ex-military personnel and their families who have been in a downward spiral due to poor mental health.
For the past six years, thousands of people have done their own solo and team walks. Some have involved walking to a war memorial or to their old barracks, or even while carrying a Christmas tree to a friend.
The challenge officially started on December 1 and from then until Christmas Eve everyone who has signed up has pledged to walk at least 24 miles to raise funds for the charity.
The 1 Highlanders group is one of several army cadet teams from around the UK who have signed up to this year’s challenge.
The Army Cadet Force has already raised more than £12,000 for the charity – of which just over £1300 has been contributed by cadets from the Highlands – with plenty of time for more money to come in.
Cadet Corporal Caitlin Green (17), from Thurso detachment, one of the first cadets from the battalion to sign up to the challenge, said: “Veterans deserve the best support we can provide to them.”
To join, or donate to, the battalion’s team go to walkinghomeforchristmas.com/acf and search for 1st Battalion The Highlanders ACF.