The Friendliest Port greets brave soldiers
Amble once again proved it is the Friendliest Port, as a large crowd gathered to welcome a group of disabled service personnel, as they stopped in the area overnight.
The group are walking 1000 miles from Scotland to Buckingham Palace in aid of the Walking With the Wounded charity.
The Friendliest Port provided the biggest greeting yet for the team of six walkers on their 72 day challenge.
The charity, whose patron is Prince Harry, raises money to help service men and women who have been wounded, to re-train for careers outside the military.
The Walk of Britain is the group’s latest challenge to raise awareness and money for the charity. Previous years have seen challenges in the North Pole, Mount Everest, and the South Pole.
The team set off on August 22nd and are passing through 150 villages, towns and cities along the route to Buckingham Palace.
September 1 saw the team leave Eglingham after breakfast, stopping at Alnwick at lunchtime where they met the Duchess of Northumberland.
They arrived in Amble at just after 4pm, walking down Queen Street to the Town Square, where they were met by a crowd of around a hundred people who cheered and clapped. The group was escorted into the square by Northumbrian Piper Beverley Palin.
Once in the Square, they were presented with a cheque from Amble Town Council for £100 and a book commemorating WW1. Amble Churches Together and other groups presented money and a gift of a photograph.
Team member Matt Fisher, told The Ambler: “It’s great to be here! It’s so nice to see Amble. I had been planning this stage of the route, so it’s great to actually see it in the flesh.
“And it’s so good to see such a big turnout from local people. I wasn’t expecting all the presentations. This is the biggest turnout so far” he said.
The six walkers have all suffered traumatic injuries while on duty. Individual incidents such as bomb blasts, a helicopter crash and gun shot wounds have all resulted in amputations or severe and on-going injuries. The team comprise four British soldiers and two US Marines.
Generous local businesses offered the group icecream from Spurreli and an evening meal at the Old Boat House. Their overnight accommodation was provided by the Sun Hotel in Warkworth.
“Amble can be really proud of itself” said a spokesperson from Amble Town Council.
More info on the charity, the individual walkers and how to donate can be found here
Anna Williams
This article has been edited to reflect the route taken on 1 Sept.
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