Prince Harry will add a new patronage to his growing list on 11 April when he launches the ‘Walk Of America’, the latest expedition from the armed forces charity Walking With The Wounded.
This summer a team of six veterans from the United States and the United Kingdom will walk 1,000 miles from the west to the east coast of America in 14 weeks.
Starting in Los Angeles on 2 June and finishing in New York on 6 September, the team will walk and visit some of America’s most iconic cities and landmarks.
According to Kensington Palace: “The Walk Of America will create a platform to tell the stories of wounded veterans and their individual journeys from injury to the present day, as well as encourage a wider conversation around veteran mental health. The expedition will also raise vital funds for veterans both sides of the Atlantic.”
Veterans participating in the expedition face challenges and will have been physical, mentally or socially disadvantaged since serving.
Two members of the UK team are currently homeless living in a veteran homeless residence, supported by Walking With The Wounded.
During the launch Prince Harry, the Expedition Patron, will meet the three British team members and deliver a speech to launch the Walk Of America.
Walking With The Wounded supports a pathway for veterans in need to be reintegrated back into their community and maintain their independence.
Many of these veterans are without a home, socially isolated, with mental health difficulties or within the Criminal Justice System.
Supported by the Endeavour Fund, and corporate sponsors including Starbucks and the NFL, this campaign is designed to tell the stories of the armed forces community in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Prince Harry feels that just as countries fight together, more can be done to recover together too and is keen on the new partnership.
The Walk Of America aims to strengthen ties between the two nations and further develop learning around the recovery and wellbeing of wounded veterans so both nations can work more closely together in developing rehabilitation.
Harry, a veteran himself has been an ardent supporter of Walking With The Wounded and accepted the invitation to become Patron of this expedition to advance his support for the work the charity does.
The Prince who will be a newlywed when the expedition kicks off will not be joining the team on their journey