A North Wales law firm is getting behind a local team’s fundraising challenge to walk the Somme battlefield blindfolded – and is urging other businesses to do the same.
The team of four from North Wales Audi will be heading to France on November 8, timing their trip to coincide with the commemorations surrounding Remembrance Day.
They will embark on the trek over two days before paying their respects to the fallen on Remembrance Sunday and then head for Ypres in Belgium to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate memorial.
The team is comprised of Matthew Losing, a former Royal Navy petty officer, Jack Allred, an ex-corporal in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Jordan Irving, who is documenting the journey, and Head of Business at North Wales Audi, Shalan Sanati.
They have set a fundraising target of £3,000 in aid of Blind Veterans UK, which has a centre in Llandudno.
Part of the fundraising involves getting sponsorship from businesses who will have their logo carried on the vehicle which takes the team on their trip.
Lanyon Bowdler was one of the first to sign up and is calling on other firms to follow suit.
Edward Nutting, who heads up the firm’s North Wales office in Conwy, said:
The team is aiming to walk blindfolded around 20.6km of Somme battlefields to raise money for a great cause and it’s something which should be supported by as many people as possible.
“Lanyon Bowdler has a proud tradition of supporting the military, serving and former armed services personnel, and did not hesitate in offering our support by way of sponsorship to this fundraising challenge.
“It means we will be having our logo on the car the team will be travelling in, so if you see them on the road to France you’ll know what it’s all about!
“The trip ties in perfectly with Remembrance Day and it would be wonderful if other businesses got behind the team by joining us in sponsoring the trip.”
The team from North Wales Audi have set up a Just Giving page where people can pledge their support and intend keeping the fundraising going until March to coincide with a local ‘march’ involving veterans from the Llandudno Blind Veterans UK branch from their centre around the Great Orme and back.
Blind Veterans UK has been working with ex-service personnel since 1915 to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
The charity provides rehabilitation, practical advice, emotional support and training for tens of thousands of service veterans.
To donate to the team’s blindfolded Somme Battlefield fundraising trek, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/northwalesaudi-walkingthesommeblindfolded
Firms can find out more about sponsoring the trip by emailing [email protected] and for more about Blind Veterans UK, visit https://www.blindveterans.org.uk
