WATCH: Comedian on the hunt for military banter as he steps up for Walking with the Wounded charity campaign for Christmas
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Comedian Al Murray and WW2 historian James Holland have challenged the public to supply their best military jokes and banter to help support Walking With The Wounded’s Walking Home For Christmas campaign.
The campaign to support ex-military facing mental health battles is giving added significance with the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19.
The major fundraising drive is the charity’s only event this year. It challenges the general public to step out of their comfort zone and to walk somewhere important to them in support of Britain’s ex-military.
Taking place from December 10-20, the challenge is being presented as the perfect way to beat lockdown blues while obeying local Covid-19 restrictions.
The pair who run the We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast– which discusses all things Second World War – have both come on-board this year to support those who served and to lend a hand in overcoming the new Covid-19 battlefield that is adding extra pressure mentally and physically throughout the UK.
In light of the dark Covid-19 environment, this year’s campaign theme has been given a comedy twist and Al and James are calling out to the public for the best banter the military and ex-military have to offer to keep them entertained on their walk. They would love you to get involved and share any jokes that will help the mental toils of 2020. You can share your jokes in the comment section of the video below.
Al Murray said “I would love for the British public to join me and walk. Yes, walk, it’s as simple as that. Joining Walking Home for Christmas and doing a sponsored walk will help in raising money for ex-military and their families dealing with mental health issues that have been even more challenging, with the strange Covid-19 times we find ourselves in. Myself and WW2 historian James Holland would love to hear your military jokes, stories and banter that we can read out on our walk together on our We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast. The challenge is yours, between December 10 and 20 for Walking With The Wounded. Sign up below. Good luck and get walking.”
The campaign invites anyone to register for free, receive a branded Santa hat and facemask and do a sponsored walk home, somewhere important to them anytime between 10th -20th December.
The event is aiming to support 200 ex-servicemen and women who are socially isolated, struggling with their mental health, homeless or caught in police custody as a result of poor mental health – and get them back into employment and independence.
Carolyn, WWTW’s Clinical Lead says “There has been lots of research that backs up the message that exercise is good for us and studies have shown that exercise and physical activity can in fact treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication – it’s good for our mental health and wellbeing!
“Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood as well as improving self-esteem. Taking part in group activities can improve this even further bringing individuals together to achieve a common goal. Being part a group of your peers can instill a sense of comradery which many ex-servicemen and women miss and will attest to the fact that the associated banter can give a little respite from the day to day difficulties that can be experienced by many. Having a laugh, socializing with others and taking part in some physical activity is a recipe for improving our wellbeing and rebalances the nervous system – allowing us to put the brakes on any stressful situations we may be going through,”
Signing up for Walking Home For Christmas is easy and free – just log on to www.walkinghomeforchristmas.com and register for your fundraising pack.
https://youtu.be/j-hUZXKknk0
