Knauf has teamed up with Walking With the Wounded, a national charity that supports veteran military personnel, and nominated it to become the Knauf chosen charity for 2017.

The partnership between Knauf and Walking With the Wounded was unveiled at a special event at Knauf’s UK head office in Sittingborne, Kent. Knauf will guarantee a minimum donation of £2,021 for each event that it supports during the year. This figure reflects the of Knauf’s internal initiative Twentytwentywon.

Walking With The Wounded supports veteran military personnel who are ‘at risk’ after leaving military service. It aims to help them back into society and recover their independence providing long-term security for themselves and their families.

Ian Dean, Knauf’s managing director, said: “We were looking for some inspiration at the time we were launching our new Twentytwentywon teamwork strategy. We were truly inspired when we met the Walking With the Wounded team for the first time.”

Andrew Cook, fundraising director at Walking With the Wounded, said: “Most know us for our physical challenges to the North Pole. These expeditions are our shop window and give us exposure but our day to day activities demonstrate that wounded individuals are able to operate at the highest level. We engage with veterans when they face difficult periods. We help them to get back into a safe environment and sustainable employment. This year we’ll engage with around 3,500 veterans and we’re hugely grateful for the support that Knauf will be giving us.”

Duncan Welton, a veteran of conflicts in Bosnia and the Gulf, experienced difficulties when he left the REME after 18 years. He said: “After I was diagnosed with PTSD and my marriage broke down, I struggled and ended up becoming homeless. Walking With the Wounded helped me to get back on my feet and get a new career job.”

One of the key challenges being faced by Knauf personnel will be participation in the Cumbrian Challenge, which is Walking With The Wounded’s flagship fundraising event that sees teams of four take trek over one of three courses across fells in the Lake District. The challenge takes place in May.

Other event that Knauf employees will be participating in include: Men’s Health, Survival of the Fittest in July and the Windsor Half Marathon in September. Further dates to be added to the calendar throughout the year and while competing, Knauf employees will be supported by WWTW, with a number of beneficiaries taking part alongside the Knauf teams.

PHOTOGRAPH CAPTION (l-r): Ian Dean (Knauf), Andrew Cook (Walking With the Wounded) and Duncan Welton (WWTW beneficiary)