Former Royal Artillery members Isla Morrison and Jonathan Parrott walked the 650 mile 1914-18 Western Front to raise funds for Building Heroes and Diabetes UK charities

A UNITED front from a local woman and her brother-in-law over a 650-mile walk raised nearly £2500 for charity.

Isla Morrison and Jonathan Parrott, both former members of the Royal Artillery, walked the 1914-18 Western Front, from the Swiss/French border to the Belgium coastal town of Nieuwpoort, over 35 days.

Mum-of-three Isla came up with the challenge after hearing an interview with author Anthony Seldon about his pilgrimage from the Swiss-French border to the Belgian Coast along the Western Front.

She explained: “Having recently turned 50, I was looking for a challenge - this fitted the bill! I messaged Jonathan to see if he was interested, as he is very knowledgeable about WW1. We formulated a plan which came together three months later when we flew to Basel, Switzerland.”

The pair planned a route using a new Western Front Way app and French mapping – booking accommodation in advance. Their daily distance on the five week walk was dictated by what was available and where - the longest walk in a day was 48km, the shortest, 25km. Isla and Jonathan prepared for their challenge by gradually increasing daily walks from one hour to four. Isla had back surgery at the end of November so had to take things gently at first, but keeping fit and active helped her recovery.

They were unsupported in Europe, carrying everything they needed in rucksacks. At the end of each day, they stayed in B&B’s and hotels - of varying quality.

Isla said: “One of the hardest aspects of our walk was finding places to eat in rural France, particularly at the weekends when everything shuts down from Saturday lunchtime to Tuesday morning. Several evenings we went to bed after a long day with only a leftover sandwich from lunchtime to eat.”

Isla’s lowest point came in their third week when she developed shin splints.

“They were absolute agony” she said. “I was reduced to hobbling into Peronne, our destination that day. I managed with a combination of Nurofen, strapping, gritted teeth and fierce determination. The thought that whatever pain I was experiencing was nothing compared to what those young men went through all those years ago spurred me on.”

Isla’s highlights included: climbing Le Grand Ballon (about 100m higher than Ben Nevis) in the Vosges Mountains, including walking original trenches past abandoned concrete fortifications; visiting battlefields and cemeteries on the Somme, including Thiepval, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and “breathtaking in their beauty”; seeing the limestone memorial at Vimy Ridge, home of the Canadian National Memorial; and laying a wreath as part of The Last Post ceremony in Ypres, which has taken place every night at 8pm since 1929.

“The ceremony run by the Ypres Volunteer Fire Service is incredibly moving,” said Isla, “and well-attended by visitors from all over the globe. However, it’s strange to talk about highlights when walking the Western Front, the scene of so much unimaginable human suffering.”

Isla and Jonathan spent much time reflecting on the sacrifice so many made throughout the World Wars.

Isla said: “As we took our final steps onto the beach at Nieuwpoort on the Belgian Coast, I felt delighted we’d made it but sad it was all over. The simple joy of ticking the miles down and having nothing more to think about other than putting one foot in front of the other was amazing. It’s a feeling I miss now I’m back at home so I’ll have to plan another walk!”

Visit https://app.investmycommunity.com/westernfrontway for a more detailed account of the pair’s challenge with links to donate to the charities they chose to support.

Isla finished: “Jonathan chose Building Heroes, a military charity who support service leavers’ and veterans’ transition into careers in the construction industry. I chose Diabetes UK, who provide invaluable support to those diagnosed with the condition and their families. My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes two years ago aged 15. The helpline and website provided us invaluable support.”