COVID: Military Charity's Trek Across Omani Desert Delayed For Second Time

A team made up of veterans and serving personnel have had their 248-mile (400km) trek across the Omani desert delayed for a second time due to COVID-19.

Walking With The Wounded, a military charity which provides injured ex-service personnel independence through employment, said it made the decision to push back the Walk of Oman expedition again after recent UK and Omani government guidelines.

The charity said it has chosen to postpone the walk until the autumn to ensure the safety of the team and everyone involved.

The trek was originally expected to start on 20 November and end on 11 December but was postponed to 18 February because of coronavirus.

The Walk of Oman is the charity's sixth international expedition, aimed at raising funds for its employment, mental health and care coordination programmes for ex-military personnel and their families.

It sees those taking part follow in the footsteps of legendary British Army explorer Wilfred Thesiger.

The team, made up of four ex-military personnel and two members who are still serving, will pull a custom-built cart weighing more than 100kg across the desert, alongside serving members of the Omani Armed Forces.

Since the charity was founded in 2010, Walking With The Wounded has organised and run expeditions to the North Pole, South Pole, Everest and across Britain and the USA.

Each expedition incorporates teams of ex-servicemen and women with physical and mental injuries.

Walking With The Wounded CEO Fergus Williams said the delay was "disappointing" but safety was "critical".

"The global coronavirus pandemic has caused many events both in the charity sector and beyond to be put on hold," he said.

"Whilst it is disappointing to announce a second delay to the Walk of Oman expedition, we must follow government guidance both in the UK and Oman.

"The safety of the team and the support team is critical. The team will continue their training as we all look ahead to the new date in autumn 2021."

Last year, Prince Harry publicly showed his support for the charity and its planned walk by becoming official expedition patron.

Cover image: Walking With The Wounded's Walk of Oman team pictured in September 2020 (Picture: PA).