2019 SmartBar Walk for a Veteran with PTS

The 4th annual Walk for a Veteran honors veterans, emergency services personnel, and their families, who have been affected by mental illness due to their service or family members service of our country and their community.

The walk also aims to raise funds and awareness for organisations that support veterans and emergency services mental well-being programs.

Walk for a Veteran with PTS was established in 2016 as a joint initiative between Henley and Grange RSL, and Largs Bay RSL. In 2018 there was 364 participants, who completed either the full distance of 42km, 27km, 14km or 7.5km.

On Saturday 27th July 2019 the day begins at 6am at Seacliff SLSC. After 7.5km at 7.30am we stop at Glenelg SLSC for a 10 min break. From there we make our way along the coast to arrive at Henley Square at 9am. Here at the 14.5km mark we leave our first leg walkers. We leave Henley at 9.20am, gain the Barossa Light Horse and head north along the coast to Semaphore SLSC at 11.15am. From there we head to the Largs Bay RSL for lunch at 12.45pm. At 1.20pm we leave the second leg walkers and gain the 7th Battalion, and final leg walkers, and make our way to the finish line at Henley and Grange RSL at 4pm.

The finish line at Henley and Grange RSL is a family friendly zone with jumping castle, face painting, Australian Army Armoured vehicle, SAMFS fire truck and National Military Motor Museum display. Dinner will be provided for those finishing at Henley, with some great entertainment including rock star Sarah McLeod and Winter Olympics gold medallist Steven Bradbury creating a wonderful atmosphere as walkers cross the finish line.

We will provide all walkers with hydration and energy foods during the course of the day. Complementary massage will be available to all walkers at the finish at Henley and Grange RSL.

Another of our goals for the event is for walkers to interact with other walkers, learn who the veterans or current serving personnel are, who are the firefighters, police officers and paramedics. Ask them about their experiences and gain some insight into their world.

The day will again conclude with several powerful guest speakers. We are going to hear from veterans, veterans families, and people working for those organisations we support.

Last year we raised $18,000 for our charity partners RSB OP K9, Heroes on the Homefront, and The Road Home. Our goal is to reach $30,000 this year for our charity partners including the Le Fevre Peninsula Veterans Hub.

If you were part of the event last year please join us again and this year bring someone along who hasnt walked before. Walking with us again is the South Australian Premier and Walk for a Veteran patron The Hon Steven Marshall, current serving ADF and emergency services members and their families from SA and interstate, veterans and their families, friends, corporate groups, and wonderful community members.

Looking forward to seeing you on the beach on the last Saturday in July.

To fundraise as an individual or a team please go to https://www.mycause.com.au/events/veteransmartbarwalk