A TEAM of six veterans from the US and Britain today (Monday, September 7) reached North Yorkshire as part of their epic 1,000 mile, 72 day walk from Scotland to London.

The Walking with the Wounded group arrived at Riverside’s The Beacon Veteran’s Centre in Catterick Garrison at 4pm to applause from supporters, as well as friends of two former Beacon residents who took part in the walking challenge from Barnard Castle to Catterick.

The Beacon is a 31 unit housing, training and support centre, providing specialist support to single homeless veterans, and includes the Veteran’s Artisan Bakery, which provides therapy to those suffering from PTSD, addiction and other mental health problems.

Matthew Opie and Peter Pankhurst, two veterans who have benefitted from the Beacon’s services, took part in the walk for one day to show their support to veterans Stewart Hill, Matt Fisher, Alec Robotham, Scott Ransley, Kirstie Ennis, and Andrew Bement.

The Walk of Britain began in August and will end at Buckingham Palace on November 1, and the group, including four British and two US veterans, will engage with local communities every day to highlight the work of Walking with the Wounded in helping wounded veterans back to independence through long-term employment.

Mr Opie, a veteran of the Royal Logistics Corp, said the Beacon helped him through a difficult stage in his life.

Now living in Easingwold, he is undergoing training to become a locksmith, and said he was proud to have taken part in the Walk of Britain, if even just for the day.

He said: “I move out of the Beacon last December after being here for about a year. I suffered from PTSD after leaving the army and was really struggling.

“Staff at the Beacon sorted me out and I moved on really fast, starting my locksmith course.”

Mr Opie took part in other challenges while living at the Beacon including Walking with the Wounded’s Cumbrian Challenge, comprising of two circular routes for varying levels of fitness around the gruelling fell terrain, and the Pennine Way.

He added: “I’m so proud of the team doing the full Walk of Britain challenge, it was difficult enough doing just today. There was a lot of support from the public which has been fantastic.”

Prince Harry has supported Walking With The Wounded since the charity was formed, taking part in the trek to the North Pole in 2011 and to the South Pole in 2013.

Trevor Morris, Ministry of Defence area manager for Riverside, said: “We have built a great relationship with Walking with the Wounded over the years so I’m immensely proud to see what they have achieved today.

“It’s even better to see some of the veterans who have benefitted from our service taking part – they are doing it for a great cause and they are all truly inspirational.”

To view a map of the route visit: http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/walkofbritain2015/about-the-walk/the-route/?ref=lb.