Walking With The Wounded Ambassadors support UK military veterans.
Our passionate and vocal ambassadors help raise awareness of our work and encourage more people to donate, fundraise and get involved with our events.
WWTW Ambassadors
Nick Knowles
Television Presenter and Writer
Nick has been a long-term champion of Walking With The Wounded.
Nick Knowles
Television Presenter and Writer
Nick has been a long-term champion of Walking With The Wounded and built our North West hub in Manchester on Canada Street (aka Veterans' Street) as part of the BBC's biggest ever DIY SOS show.
He is one of the UK’s highest-rated TV presenters, an RTS Award-winning writer and a musician – and has had a huge impact for the charity, fronting a BBC Lifeline appeal as well as championing multiple events over the years and being a committed advocate for the cause.
"Walking With The Wounded is helping those that have served their country and left the services to find opportunities to enter the workplace.
“Whilst many find their own way to transition, for some it can be a difficult time full of new challenges. Finding retraining, accommodation and work placements is critical for these men and women and I'm honoured to be an ambassador to help find those opportunities and spread the word about the important work this organisation does."
Barry Collins
Barry has been working in the field of social value and sustainability for 25 years.
Barry Collins
Barry has been working in the field of social value and sustainability for 25 years, setting up Collins McHugh CSR some 18 years ago and in recent years has been supporting Walking With The Wounded's corporate engagement by highlighting the impact of our work.
Collins McHugh has worked with some of the country's best known companies and their work spans the public, private and charity sectors. Producing sustainability, social value and ESG reports for organisations as diverse as the Co-op Group, British Transport Police, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Yodel and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Barry is AA1000 accredited and a qualified Social Value Practitioner and can also accredit reports to the Global Reporting Initiative requirements and advise on structuring reports to meet those requirements.
“Our partnership with Walking With The Wounded stretches back many years and their work is outstanding. The issues they address not only help thousands of veterans every year, but support communities, address underlying issues in society and drive positive change. For companies serious about driving real change in society we never hesitate to put forward WWTW, and I am extremely proud to be an ambassador for this outstanding organisation.”
Maria Fisher
Maria is married to Matt, a wounded veteran and is a supporter of WWTW.
Maria Fisher
Maria is married to Matt, a wounded veteran, and mother to two girls. She has supported WWTW since her husband joined the charity's Walk of Britain expedition and since then has gone out of her way to raise the profile and valuable funds for the charity - most notably by organising community walks as part of Walking Home For Christmas.
Matt, a former Rifleman, was shot in the foot while serving in Afghanistan and had to have his lower left leg amputated. Despite this, he walked 1,000 miles across the UK with the WWTW team in 2015 raising funds and awareness to support others.
Maria said: “As a wife of an injured soldier, I have witnessed first hand the struggles of overcoming a life-changing injury and most difficult of all, letting go of a job you were so passionate about. Finding a new career and drive in life was by far the hardest thing we as a couple have had to overcome.
"Walking With the Wounded recognised Matt's potential as they have in so many others, their help to both vulnerable men and women is invaluable and I am thrilled to have been asked to become an official Ambassador.”
Mark Richardson
Mark is the Director of National Security EMEA at Planet Labs.
Mark Richardson
Mark is the director of national security EMEA at Planet Labs, a company driven by a mission to image all of Earth’s landmass every day so that humanity can use space to help life on Earth.
A Physicist by training, Mark spent over 10 years working for the UK Ministry of Defence in Security Policy and Operations with Frontline units and at the Strategic Headquarters, deploying alongside British Armed forces internationally including to Afghanistan.
Military Ambassadors
Sally Orange MBE
Endurance Runner, Adventurer and Mental Health Champion
Sally is a multi-record breaking adventure athlete and WWTW beneficiary.
Sally Orange MBE
Endurance Runner, Adventurer and Mental Health Champion
Sally is a beneficiary of Walking With The Wounded’s Head Start mental health programme, having openly sought support following 22 years of military service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, which included an operational tour of duty in Afghanistan.
She is now a multi record-breaking adventure athlete, passionate mental health campaigner and inspirational speaker.
She said: "I literally owe my life to WWTW as they were there for me when no-one else was, when I felt I had no reason to live. As a Reservist who’s illness was not due to an operational tour, I fell through the gaps of where I could get the treatment I needed, but WWTW were flexible in their thinking.
"I still see the therapist WWTW found for me to this day, as I now know how important it is to keep on top of my illness and manage it, rather that let it manage me.
"It is a great honour to be asked to champion WWTW and I’m excited about working together to help other veterans in the future who find themselves in difficult times."
Sally is the only person to complete a marathon on every continent dressed as different pieces of fruit. She has completed 8 full triathlons and 82 marathons (including 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 consecutive days). She has cycled in the 3000+ mile Race Across America (RAAM) and cycled the length of New Zealand and of Britain on three separate occasions. She has run the Marathon des Sable, the toughest footrace on Earth in the Sahara Desert, and run the length of Iceland. She has also rowed and swum the English Channel. She holds six Guinness World Records and four Invictus Games medals.
Sally served as a physiotherapist in the British Army for 22 years, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan treating severely injured casualties, and has volunteered for over 30 years, raising more than £800,000 for 50 charities. When she’s not undertaking record-breaking endurance achievements (often dressed in thoughtfully chosen costumes to raise a smile and start conversations around mental health), Sally is the focus of inspirational speaking engagements, attended by audiences of all ages.
Everyone is captivated by the modest, engaging and approachable way she shares the mental health and resilience learnings she has gathered from a career in the British Army and decades of volunteering and undertaking gruelling physical challenges all over the world.
Levison Wood
Explorer, Writer and Photographer
Levis is an ex-Army officer in the Parachute Regiment and a world-renowned explorer.
Levison Wood
Explorer, Writer and Photographer
Lev is an ex-Army officer in the Parachute Regiment and a serving reservist who is also a world-renowned explorer, writer and photographer.
He served in Afghanistan and has been a regular supporter of Walking With The Wounded, encouraging participation in our Walking Home For Christmas campaign, hosting supporter events and amplifying our expeditions.
He has written numerous best-selling books and produced critically acclaimed documentaries which have been aired around the globe.
He has travelled and filmed in over one hundred countries worldwide, and his expeditions include walking the length of the river Nile, the Himalayas, all of central America, circumnavigating the Arabian Peninsula, and following the migration and conservation of elephants in Botswana.
He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, the Explorers Club, Honorary Doctor at Staffordshire University and an ambassador of various other charities including Unicef, Tusk and the Army Benevolent Fund.
Col Lucy Giles
Colonel Giles was the first female Commander of The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Col Lucy Giles
Colonel Giles was the first female Commander of The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in its 200-year history and has run the infamous Marathon des Sables for Walking With The Wounded.
“I am absolutely delighted to be an Ambassador for Walking With The Wounded. Not only is this a charity that links closely with my experience as an officer in the British Army, but I have also seen first-hand the impact on beneficiaries of the money that we collectively raise. I have been in the military for over 30 years and will never stop striving for equality of opportunity or treating people with equity both personally and professionally. In my role as Ambassador, I pledge to champion the work that the charity does and support our beneficiaries by raising money and awareness.”
Lucy joined the Army in 1992 and saw regimental duty in Germany, followed by tours of Bosnia and in South Africa. On being promoted to Major, she was posted to 5 Airborne Brigade with tours to East Timor, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia again.
Lucy commanded 47 Air Despatch Squadron Royal Logistic Corps enabling operations in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining Headquarters Directorate Royal Logistic Corps. This was followed by a tour at a training regiment and a teaching appointment at the Joint Services Command and Staff College.
At the inaugural Women in Defence event in 2016, Lucy was given the Inspirational Award and the Woman of the Year Award.
She is an ambassador for First Women UK, was in the Times 500 People of Influence 2016 and featured on the BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2021.
Lucy also competes at orienteering at Armed Forces level and has completed various fundraising challenges in WWTW colours raising valuable funds and awareness for the charity.
Dan Searson
Director of Operations, Challenge The Wild
Dan served as an Army Officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps and supports WWTW.
Dan Searson
Director of Operations, Challenge The Wild
Dan is leading a D-Day expedition in 2024 in aid of Walking With The Wounded. He served as an Army Officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps, during which time he was deployed to the Balkans, East Africa and the Middle East; and as a Mountain Leader, he led expeditions to the Pyrenees, Alps, the Sierra Nevada, Dolomites, Peru and Mount Kenya. He was awarded several British Army Commendations during his service.
“I am thrilled to be appointed a Military Ambassador for Walking With The Wounded. I share the same values and am passionate about supporting the charity and the veteran community.
"Being outdoors has so many benefits for a person’s physical and mental wellbeing and is a powerful tool in recovery. Through my support, I hope to continue to promote the essential work carried out by the amazing team at Walking With The Wounded, and empower more veterans to succeed."
On leaving the military, Dan established Challenge The Wild, an outdoor based company that specialises in providing events that are unique, raise the profile of veterans, improves the physical and mental wellbeing of participants and build exceptional teams. Dan has extensive experience in event management, and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Humanitarian Response; and has been awarded certificates in Health and Safety for Managers and Medical Planning. He thrives on ensuring others achieve their goals through a rigorous approach to planning and delivery. Dan is supported by a brilliant team at Challenge The Wild, most of which are veterans.
His grandfather landed on Juno Beach on D-Day in WW2 and left Dan vials of sand taken from the beach that day to return at some point - the basis of the 2024 expedition to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion.
Dan has supported Walking With The Wounded for many years and has delivered numerous fundraising events during that period including adventure challenges, the Walk of Oman (Reimagined) and supporting on a walk from London to Manchester for the charity's 'Walking Home For Christmas' campaign. Challenge The Wild also support the charity's beneficiaries, through a programme of Adventure Retreats.
Tom Evans
Tom is a former officer in the Welsh Guards who set the ultrarunning scene on fire.
Tom Evans
Tom is a former officer in the Welsh Guards who set the ultrarunning scene on fire by finishing third at the 2017 Marathon des Sables (the highest-ever British finisher) while raising money for Walking With The Wounded. He has since turned professional, sponsored by Adidas, Redbull and Sungod, and in 2023 won the iconic Western States 100 after securing his first podium finish at the UTMB in 2022.
“As a former officer in the Welsh Guards, I have seen the great work that Walking With The Wounded has done. The support provided by the charity goes such a long way and I am so proud to be an ambassador."
Look our for Tom's trademark salute when he crosses the line.
Brian Wood MC
Former Colour Sergeant, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment
Brian is a former Colour Sergeant with the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.
Brian Wood MC
Former Colour Sergeant, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment
Brian is a former Colour Sergeant with the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment with an extraordinary story of overcoming adversity and who has raised more than £200,000 for WWTW.
In November 2021, he set the veteran community alight with his Ultimate Sacrifice Challenge, running a mile for every British fatality in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts in which he served - an incredible 25 marathons in 25 days.
In 2022, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Balkans, he ran 35 marathons over 35 days - a total of 917 miles - for the British lives lost in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Brian was awarded the Military Cross, one of Britain’s highest awards for gallantry in combat, by Her Majesty The Queen II, following his courageous leadership under enemy fire in Iraq in the Battle of Danny Boy.
In the heat of a lethal close quarters battle, fighting outnumbered, he seized the initiative, taking a split-second decision to lead his men into the teeth of enemy fire in the first bayonet charge by British soldiers in 25 years - which has subsequently been turned into a BBC Two drama.
Leading from the front, he put his own life in great danger. Under his command, Brian’s men defeated the enemy without sustaining any serious casualties themselves. Their actions that day saved many other soldiers’ lives.
Despite this Brian was later subjected to a lengthy legal investigation about what happened that day - with all allegations eventually being thrown out and leading to his bestselling book 'Double Crossed' about the fight to clear his name.
During a 16 year military career, Brian led British troops across the full spectrum of battle from training to fighting; from operations in the Balkans to high intensity combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and now represents those who fell and those who need support.
He has helped champion Walking With The Wounded's Walking Home For Christmas campaign, created the 'Longest Day Challenge' event in partnership with his Keep Attacking brand, and supported the charity's mental health and employment programmes to get those who served, and their families, back on their feet and able to make a positive contribution once more.
Ibrar Ali MC
Ibi served as an Army officer in Iraq and part of WWTW's South Pole 2013 expedition.
Ibrar Ali MC
Ibi was part of WWTW's South Pole expedition in 2013. He served as an Army officer in Iraq where he was seriously injured, losing his lower right arm, and earned a Military Cross for his actions that day.
Ibi, was born in Rotherham to Kashmiri parents who emigrated to the UK in the 1970s. He was educated through the state school system and went on to study Law at university and it was there that he decided to look into a career in the British Army.
Having spent some of his time whilst at university in the Reserves, he eventually entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to begin his officer training. Ibi went on to commission into the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire (PWO) in 2004, (later amalgamated into the Yorkshire Regiment), which is a light role Infantry unit.
Ibi deployed on his first operational tour in October 2006 to Basrah, Iraq. It was in February 2007 whilst on this deployment that Ibi was seriously injured when a number of roadside bombs were detonated against the three vehicle patrol that he was commanding.
One soldier was fatally injured and three were seriously injured including Private Chris Herbert who had his right leg amputated and Ibi had his right arm amputated as well as suffering injuries to his left arm and both legs.
Ibi was awarded the Military Cross in July 2007 for his actions during this incident.
On his return to the UK, Ibi was hospitalised for six weeks and then spent a further six months in rehabilitation at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) Headley Court, Surrey. Whilst conducting rehabilitation, Ibi decided that he’d like to remain in-service if at all possible and worked with his chain of command and therapists to give him the best opportunity to do that.
Having successfully completed rehabilitation and passed all the Infantry standard tests, in October 2008, Ibi was able to return back to Iraq on his second operational tour, spending two months in Basrah again before completing five months in Baghdad on secondment to the NATO Mission.
In 2012, Ibi took on his final military role which was a seven month deployment to Helmand, Afghanistan. In this role, Ibi was often required to live and work with the local law enforcement organisations for long periods of time in quite testing conditions. A role he very much enjoyed until leaving the Army in 2013 and joining Walking With The Wounded's South Pole Allied Challenge.
Ibi currently lives near Selby in North Yorkshire and has a teenage daughter who keeps him on his toes. Having spent four years at KPMG and promoted to Senior Manager he decided to take a short sabbatical to focus on some charity work. Ibi tries to remain active however possible and enjoys reading if he can get 10 minutes to himself.
He has been a regular at WWTW's Cumbrian Challenge and represented the charity at numerous speaking events over the years to support the cause.
Patsy Legender
Patsy is ex RAF and a key champion of Ex-Armed Forces in business in the North East.
Patsy Legender
Patsy is ex-RAF and a key champion of Ex-Armed Forces in business in the North East.
She joined the RAF in 1988 on a YTS aged 17 and served as an Aerospace Systems Operator for over 11 years.
During that time she was placed at Neatishead, the Air Defence Notification Centre London and 1 Air Control Centre in the UK and abroad, and completed two tours of the Falkland Islands.
After leaving the RAF in 1999 Patsy has used her skills gained from the RAF and worked across the world in operations and project management in telecommunications, marine navigation, finance and logistics organisations before becoming being Head of Operations at Newcastle Strategic Solutions Ltd where she was integral to forging a significant and impactful partnership with Walking With The Wounded.
Patsy has continued to support her Armed Forces and veteran community throughout her civilian life and most recently has received acknowledgement of her contribution by receiving an award from the Women in Finance organisation, named as Woman of the Year 2022 and a special recognition from the Ex-Armed Forces in Business Awards 2022 for her contribution to the North East veteran community through her work with Walking With The Wounded and The Royal British Legion.
She is now UK Director of Operations at OsecoElfab.
Scott Johnson
Scott is an ex-Royal Engineer and the founder of Veteran Owned UK (VOUK).
Scott Johnson
Scott is an ex-Royal Engineer and the founder of Veteran Owned UK (VOUK) to help support ex-military business owners.
Inspired by the prevalence of veteran-owned businesses in the USA, Scott decided to start the first veteran-owned business directory for the UK, providing members of the public user-friendly access to support veterans in their community.
WWTW was introduced to VOUK after they took part in Walking Home For Christmas 2020, raising an incredible £5,148 as an organisation to help support those who served. Since getting involved in the fundraising campaign in December 2020, Scott became an Ambassador and gives his time to supporting WWTW’s fundraising ambitions through introductions to other organisations who wish to benefit from supporting the cause and also sharing his experience by mentoring key staff.
“I am very pleased to be supporting Walking With The Wounded after seeing the amazing work the organisation does in helping veterans. Adding WWTW to the VOUK list of Partners allows VOUK to give something back and play a small part in helping raise more awareness of this outstanding charity and the work they do.”
Colin Brown
Colin served in the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineer (Submariner) until 2008.
Colin Brown
Colin served in the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineer (Submariner) until 2008.
After leaving, he found his way into the renewables industry, working for major international utilities developing onshore and offshore wind farms and now heads up the UK and Ireland region for the global green hydrogen company, Lhyfe, based out of Newcastle, near Walking With Wounded's North East hub in North Shields.
"I’m delighted to be asked to be an Ambassador of Walking With The Wounded. The work that the team does is fantastically meaningful and makes a significant impact in the lives of others. I’m looking forward to working with the team to support and raise further awareness of the programmes and services offered by the organisation.”
“As a Veteran myself, I have an appreciation of the difficulties faced when leaving the Armed Forces. I consider myself to be very fortunate since leaving, but not everyone has the same luck. It’s comforting to know that there is a safety net to catch those that need the additional support, no matter what situation they find themselves in.”
As a Veteran, Colin was keen to continue supporting those who served and needed support in their transition. He has actively raised money through sponsored events and initiatives to raise awareness.
As well as raising money he has also been an advocate for supporting veterans with their resettlement. Colin chaired the Veteran Working Group within the offshore wind industry, with the intention to promote veterans and educate businesses in one of the fastest growing sectors globally.
SUPPORTING MILITARY VETERANS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
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