
Reflections: WWTW 100 KM Sahara Trek- Written by Chris Carlisle
Earlier this month, I embarked on a once in a lifetime trip, walking 100 KM across the Sahara Desert in aid of Walking With The Wounded.
I signed up to the challenge in order to raise
awareness of the work that the charity carries out, the cohort that they
support and to raise funds to help them continue their vital work.
I myself am a veteran. When I left the Armed Forces,
I struggled with my mental health and luckily came across Walking With The
Wounded. They secured a place for me on their mental health programme. I now work for the charity as an
Employment Advisor, working directly with those who have served and supporting
them as they transition from a life in the military. Although my primary focus
is employment, I help my clients in a number of ways including addressing
multiple social barriers that might be preventing them from securing long-term
employment opportunities, like mental health issues.
The Sahara Trek presented an opportunity for me
to walk with a group of people who were all raising funds for Walking With The
Wounded and tell them first-hand the impact that their fundraising will have on
the veteran community. There were some people in the group who had supported
the charity in the past and taken part in our events like The Cumbrian Challenge, however, the majority did not know too much about our other services
like our Employment and Mental Health programmes. Throughout the walk, I gave
them the opportunity to ask questions about who we are and what we do.
On a personal level, I got involved in the
challenge for my own reasons too. I enjoy a gentle walk, but I felt the need to
break out of my comfort zone and attempt something that I have never done
before. On a day-to-day basis, I totally immerse myself in my work and my
home-life and I challenge myself to achieve targets and aims, but the Sahara
walk was a different test. I saw it as an opportunity to push myself and prove
that I am capable of achieving whatever I put my mind to.
The challenge brought an incredibly array of
people together. The group ranged from 16-60 years old and had a mixture
of people who are currently serving in the Armed Forces, to those who have
family members serving and those who have no connection to the Armed Forces at
all. However, everyone had one
common goal- to raise funds for the charity. Although we completed the
distance, the task was not easy. We did struggle with different things,
like physical ailments and becoming home sick. I had a tough night when I had
been anxious about the walk and was physically and mentally exhausted; a team
member came over and checked up on me. Just those words of encouragement made
such a difference. We all worked together as a team to make sure we all got to
the finish line. This trip has taught me that you need to believe in yourself
and never doubt your abilities.
One of the highlights was waking
up early every morning, climbing up the high sand dunes and watching the sunrise.
The scene was utterly beautiful.
Click here for more information about the Sahara Trek 2021
Click here to donate
to Walking With The Wounded.