Taking place from 4th – 13th November 2010, March For Honour pays tribute and honours each service person lost on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, with service personnel marching one mile for every life lost. The March aims to raise £1 Million pounds for The Royal British Legion’s 2010 Poppy Appeal.
Speaking at a photo call outside the Royal Albert Hall, March For Honour creator, Lance Corporal Ram Patten said: “Having served in Afghanistan I appreciate the support the Legion provides to returning troops with physical and mental injuries and the families of the bereaved. The March provides an opportunity to thank The Royal British Legion, raise vital funds and make the public aware of the brilliant work they do by standing shoulder to shoulder with those who serve”.
L/Cpl Patten later met The Prime Minister David Cameron at No.10 Downing Street. Speaking after the meeting, L/Cpl Patten said: “We spoke about the concept, how I came up with the idea and my desire to raise £1 million for The Royal British Legion”.
Teams from the Royal Navy, the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines will set off from four locations across the country, converging on Wootton Bassett, to collect the Book of Remembrance before marching to London for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. The Festival will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday 13th November.
The Royal British Legion’s Director of National Events & Fundraising, Russell Thompson OBE, said: “March For Honour encapsulates what we are all about. The funds raised from March For Honour and the 2010 Poppy Appeal will fund our vital welfare and rehabilitation work for the Armed Forces community. The Legion spends over £1.4 million each week in its work and we have recently committed £12 million to The Royal British Legion Battle Back Challenge Centre, a facility being built to help rehabilitate injured and seriously wounded Servicemen through adaptive use of sport and adventurous training.”
“The Welsh Rugby team has always had strong ties with the Armed Forces and we are delighted to show our support for March For Honour. However much we’re put through our paces over the next couple of weeks it doesn’t compare to what our Armed Forces do for us daily and what these guys are doing in marching to London over the next week. I wish them every success in their aim to raise £1million,” said Wales captain Matthew Rees.
“We wish the Army team from The 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh the best of luck as they set out from Cardiff this morning on their March for Honour,” said Shaun Edwards.
