Two retired Army veterans with over 75 years’ military service between them are set to finish their demanding 65-day walking challenge – LeJog – this weekend.
John McBride from Fife (65) and Barry Ince (70) from Shropshire set out on 23 March 2025 to walk the 1200-mile End to End trail from Land End to John O’ Groats. They are expecting to reach their destination on Sunday 25 May, passing through Lybster, Wick and Freswick along the way.
Accompanying the pair to the finish line is ‘honourary’ member of the LeJog team, Katie, 22. Katie was hoping to realise her lifelong dream of walking from Lands End to John O’Groats with her partner, until a serious foot injury cut short his hike.
When John and Barry heard about Katie’s plight, halfway through their walk, they welcomed her to the team. Katie’s father has followed her progress with the team from home and has helped support her along the way.
As John says: “In the Army we say, leave no man or woman behind and Katie has been an absolute star!”
John and Barry are long-time friends and Army veterans, who have taken on one of the world’s most famous walking challenges to raise money for four charities which are close to their hearts. Two are national charities – Cancer Research UK and the Army Benevolent Fund – and two are organisations working locally to each man’s hometown.
Fife resident, John, explains: “We have both been touched by cancer and by the loss of many dear friends and family. The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army’s national charity and does great work supporting many of our veterans and their families in times of need.
“Barry’s chosen local charity is the incredible Midlands Air Ambulance service, which always needs funds, and mine is Include Me, which provides much-needed support to vulnerable adults in Northeast Fife, by matching them with Volunteer Citizen Advocates.”
The route from Cornwall to Northeast Scotland has taken in the best of British countryside including the scenic West Highland Way and Ben Nevis which Barry and John climbed together earlier this month.
But the team has faced tough times during their journey. John has suffered with severe shin splints for prolonged periods and Barry injured himself falling off a badly maintained stile earlier this month, which is still causing him pain.
So far the LeJog challenge has raised almost £15,000 for the four charities and donations are still coming in. What has kept both veterans going is the support of the local communities they have passed through and their family and friends, some of whom have joined them for part of the walk and helped with free accommodation, meals, laundry and moral support.
Barry says: “We set ourselves a goal to achieve this very difficult task, to walk 1200 miles in 65 days with no rest days, including climbing Ben Nevis. Our extensive military service, self-discipline and determination means neither would allow ourselves to fail.
“We wanted to raise awareness and much needed funds for charities we believe make a difference.”
Sunday will be the culmination of a challenge which has been over almost 18 months in the planning. As they approach John O’Groats, the pair admit to mixed emotions as fatigue and niggling injuries are starting to set in, but they are determined to push themselves to the limit after LeJog is over.
Barry and John hope to lace up their walking boots again just 2 weeks later by taking part in the Army Benevolent Fund’s gruelling 24-hour trek in the Cairngorms, the 54-mile Cateran Yomp on 7th-8th June.
Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer at the Army Benevolent Fund said: “We are so grateful for all the efforts made by Barry and John, and their team in taking on this epic 65-day challenge from Lands End to John O’Groats for the Army Benevolent Fund and other charities.
“It is only thanks to funds raised through events such as these that the ABF is able to offer a lifetime support to soldiers, veterans and their families. We look forward to welcoming both veterans to this year’s Cateran Yomp in June, after some well-deserved rest and recovery!”
The Army Benevolent Fundis here to support the Army community through life’s challenges – such as bereavement, getting back to work, elderly care, and much more besides.
Last year, the ABF supported over 75,000 veterans, soldiers and their families in the UK and 50 countries around the world.
Follow the team on https://www.instagram.com/barry_and_john_lejog_walk/ and to support LeJog visit at www.givewheel.com/fundraising/5787/lejog
