Local Woman Walks 100 miles to honour her late father and support heroes

Claire Axtell, from Ceredigion, Wales, is embarking on a heart-warming 100 mile challenge this October to honour the memory of her father, who passed away in 2022 due to heart failure.

Her journey will raise funds for military charity Help for Heroes, inspired by a personal commitment to support veterans and their families.

Having already walked over 400 miles for various charities including the British Heart Foundation, Mind, Dogs Trust and Dementia UK, Claire is no stranger to long-distance challenges. Since losing her father to years ago, she has made it her mission to give back to the cause she holds dear, and this time, her efforts are focused on supporting veterans and military personnel due to her family and friends’ military connections. She said: “As a plus-sized woman facing health challenges, I choose 100-mile walking and hiking goals as a way to stay fit while giving back to the community. I try to do charity walks a couple of times a year for causes that mean something to me.

She said: “As a plus-sized woman facing health challenges, I choose 100-mile walking and hiking goals as a way to stay fit while giving back to the community. I try to do charity walks a couple of times a year for causes that mean something to me.

“Since my dad passed away to years ago, its been my way of staying active and honouring his memory by support charities that make a difference.

“This time, I chose Help for Heroes because it’s a fantastic charity that supports those who have served our country. I’ve had friends and family serve and this is my way of helping however I can.”

Claire’s walks take her through the stunning countryside of Wales, where she can be found hiking in the local forests or walking along the beaches, often accompanied by her dogs.

“I like to change it up daily – whether it’s the beach, the countryside or a forest trail – it helps me stay motivated and enjoy the beauty around me.”

Claire hopes to raise £200 through her 100-mile challenge. Every penny goes directly to Help for Heroes, helping veterans and those injured in service to receive the support they need.

You can support Claire’s 100-mile challenge by donating through her fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/claire-axtell-1724858171630?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fclaire-axtell-1724858171630&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share or by spreading the word to raise awareness for help for Heroes and the work they do to support veterans.

For Claire, these walks are more than just about physical fitness—they are a way to heal, to give back, and to inspire others to find their own ways to support the causes that matter to them.

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The charity helps veteran families to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 31,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.

The Charity supports veteran families, from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.