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 25th September 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.
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