Discover the history of the D-Day landings on this epic 100km adventure through Normandy. Taking place 2nd-6th October 2024.

About the Event

Blesma is teaming up with the Army Benevolent Fund on this amazing walk through history. We will be walking through 5 D-day landing sites, as well as visiting Pegasus Bridge and the British Normandy Memorial. You don't want to miss this unforgettable tribute to the heroes of WW2, in the year of the 80th anniversary of the D-day landings.

The Challenge

Over the course of three days, you'll embark on a 100km trek passing historical sights on Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches, then finishing up at The British Normandy Memorial to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of D-Day.

Fees and Fundraising

Registration fee: £150

Fundraising target: £1,250*

*when you sign up with Blesma, you will be fundraising for Blesma only.

What's included?

Return transport from London, accommodation, meals and snacks, an incredible trip historian and more!

Itinerary

DAY 1: LONDON – BAYEUX

DAY 2: MERVILLE BATTERY – PEGASUS BRIDGE - SWORD BEACH - JUNO BEACH

Starting at Merville Battery, the drop zone for 9th Parachute Battalion. After this the route passes the famed Pegasus Bridge before continuing along the coastline of Sword Beach - the beach stormed by British troops on the 6th June 1944 - and finishing at Canada House on Juno Beach.

Distance approx. 32km

DAY 3: IRON MIKE MEMORIAL - ST-MÈRE-ÉGLISE - UTAH BEACH - EASY COMPANY MEMORIAL

This day commences at the Iron Mike Memorial - a tribute to the American Airtroopers before passing Sainte-Mère-Église, the coastline of Utah Beach and heading inland past the famed Easy Company Memorial at Brecourt Manor, an incredible story immortalised in the show Band of Brothers.

Distance approx. 36km

DAY 4: OMAHA BEACH – 47 ROYAL MARINE COMMANDO MEMORIAL - GOLD BEACH - BRITISH NORMANDY MEMORIAL

The final day of walking starts on Omaha Beach, where the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan are set. Continuing up the coast we pass the American Military Cemetery and the 47 Royal Marine Commando Memorial at Port au Bessin. After lunch the route passes through Arromanches and the artificial mulberry harbour before finishing at the spectacular British Normandy Memorial.

Distance approx. 32km

DAY 5: BAYEUX – LONDON

We leave France to drive back to London, aiming to arrive in late afternoon (traffic dependent).

Normandy Route

Fundraising & Fees

There is a £150 registration fee, payable when booking to secure your place. You will then need to raise the fundraising target of £1,250, the first £700 of this covers all your transport, accommodation, food and support crew whilst on The Frontline Walk. The first £700 is due by the 31st July 2024 to confirm your place on the walk, the final balance is due by the 6th November 2024.

When you sign up, you'll be need to create a fundraising page - we recommend you use JustGiving. We will also send you a fundraising pack to help you get started and we will include a Blesma t-shirt and other Blesma goodies.

What is included?

Return transport from London
All transfers whilst on the trip
Accommodation throughout on a twin room ensuite basis (single rooms available at an additional cost)
All meals and snacks, except breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 5
Trip historian
Experienced tour guides and support crew, including medical support
A full bespoke training guide
Frontline Walk t-shirt and finishers medal
Charity point of contact with regular newsletters and comms until the event
Blesma t-shirt and goodies

Facebook Group

When you sign up, you can also join the ABF Facebook group, which is for Blesma and ABF supporters who are taking part in The Frontline Walk or have taking part in the past. The group is a fantastic place for fundraising inspiration and a great place to ask advice from people who have been on the trip before. Details of the group will be sent to you once you sign up.

FAQs

What is the itinerary of The Frontline Walk: The Normandy Beaches?

The Frontline Walk takes place over 5 days. We meet in London on day 1, Wednesday 2nd October, and return to London on day 5, Sunday 6th October. The actual walking takes place over days 2-4.

The itinerary can be found on the 'itinerary' tab.

What route will we walk?

The exact route varies each year and will be released closer to the Walk. You can see the route outline by clicking on the Normandy Route tab.

How far will we walk each day?

This depends on the route, but we will walk an average of 33km a day. The first two days of walking are usually further than the last day.

Where do we meet?

We meet in Wellington Barracks early on the morning of day 1, 2nd October 2024.

The exact meeting time will be confirmed closer to the event, but please be aware it will be very early and if you do not live close to London you may wish to book a hotel the night before.

Where do we return to?

We will return to Wellington Barracks on day 5, 6th October 2024.

What are the timings of the Walk?

Meeting times for Wellington Barracks will be confirmed closer to the date, but we will depart very early in the morning of the first day and return in late afternoon of the fifth day.

Specific timings for each walking day will be confirmed on The Frontline Walk, as they are subject to change dependent on weather. However we can confirm it will be an early start each day.

What is included in the cost?

Your minimum sponsorship target, of £1,250, covers your transport (from London), accommodation and meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 5, water on trekking days, snacks, medical support and a charity t-shirt.

Is there an age restriction?

The minimum age is 18 for the Frontline Walk. There is no upper age limit, but if you are over 65 at the start of the Walk you will need a doctor’s note from your GP confirming you are fit and healthy and there is no medical reason that you should not take part in the Walk.

Gallery

Walk 2 — Trekking Along the Historic Beaches

Andy’s Circuit

Exercise	Time/Rep	Rest
Squats	30 Seconds	30 Seconds
Press Ups	30 Seconds	30 Seconds
Sit Ups	30 Seconds	30 Seconds
Star Jumps	30 Seconds	30 Seconds
On The Spot Jog	30 Seconds	30 Seconds
Plank	30 Seconds	30 Seconds

Andy Barlow

Fusilier Andy Barlow was injured in September 2006 while serving in Kajaki, Afghanistan. He lost his left leg above the knee. Since then, Andy has competed in Para Alpine skiing, been part of the first disabled sports programme set up by the British Military and now works as a Blesma Outreach Officer in the South.

Charmaine's Circuit

Exercise	Time/Rep	Rest
Chest Flys	10 Reps	30 Seconds
Tricep Kick Backs	10 Reps	30 Seconds
Over Head Tricep Dips	10 Reps	30 Seconds
Shoulder Press	10 Reps	30 Seconds
Sit Up / V Up	10 Reps	30 Seconds
Ab Crunches	10 Reps	30 Seconds

Charmaine Healy

Charmaine suffered a life-changing injury that led to an amputation after serving with the Royal Signals in Afghanistan in 2010. Since then she has competed at the 2017 Invictus Games, winning Silver in Powerlifting, Silver in Sitting Volleyball and Bronze in Wheelchair Basketball. After a break from sport, Charmaine is focusing on her fitness once again with regular gym sessions.

Stephen's Circuit

Exercise	Time/Rep	Rest
Burpees	1 Minute	30 Seconds
Press Ups	1 Minute	30 Seconds
Sit Ups	1 Minute	30 Seconds
Lunge (Alternate Legs)	1 Minute	30 Seconds
Squat	1 Minute	30 Seconds
Shuttle Sprints	1 Minute	30 Seconds

Stephen Shine

Stephen lost his left leg in 2007 while on patrol with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in Basra, Iraq. After rehab, Stephen threw himself into sport, taking part in skiing, scuba diving, water skiing and kayaking. Now he competes in CrossFit competitions and is working towards becoming a CrossFit coach.

Paul's Circuit

Exercise	Time/Rep	Rest
Press Ups	30 Seconds	Repeat set 3 times
Ball Slams	30 Seconds	with a 3 minute rest
Arm Front/Side Raises	30 Seconds	between each set.
Shadow Boxing	30 Seconds
Plank	30 Seconds
Heel Touches	30 Seconds

Paul Swain

Paul lost his left arm below the elbow while serving in Afghanistan in 2011. Since then, Paul has represented Great Britain an impressive five times in golf at the prestigious Simpson Cup, has qualified as a personal trainer, appeared in major TV and film productions as an extra, climbed to the Everest basecamp and is now working on his own entrepreneurial projects for good causes.

Mark's Circuit

Exercise	Time/Rep	Rest
Press Ups	10 Reps	Repeat set 5 times
Squats	10 Reps	as quickly as possible
V – Ups	10 Reps	and record your time.
Burpees	10 Reps
Sit Ups	10 Reps
Run	400 Meters

Mark Ormrod

Mark Ormrod was injured on Christmas Eve while serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan. He lost both his legs and an arm, making him the UK’s first triple amputee to survive the conflict. Today, Mark is an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, a peak performance coach, an author, a father, a husband, an Invictus Games champion, a charity fundraiser and ambassador and a daily inspiration for thousands of people who follow him on social media.

Corie's Circuit

Exercise	Time/Rep	Rest
Jumping Jacks	1.5 Minutes	Repeat 5 times.
Lunge Elbows to Ankles	20 Reps	Rest for 30 seconds
Side Lunge into Squat	20 Reps	between sets.
Wide Speed Skaters	20 Reps
Crawl Outs	20 Reps
Russian Baby Makers	20 Reps

Corie Mapp

Former Lance Corporal Corie lost both his legs after he stepped on and detonated an IED while serving in Afghanistan. Corie has competed at the 2014, 2016 and 2017 Invictus Games and the Warrior Games. He now represents Great Britain in Para-Bobsleigh and was the 2018 world cup winner.

The Frontline Walk