Why Oman?

Over the last 10 years, Walking With The Wounded has explored the globe, organising ambitious expeditions to extreme parts of the world. We have taken teams of ex-military with physical or mental injuries to the North and South Poles, the slopes of Everest, walked the length of Britain, and crossed the USA – to inspire those coping with both mental and physical injuries and to show that our wounded are capable of leading fulfilling lives.

They can achieve at the highest level. They serve as inspiration to those from all walks of life who are coping with the challenges of injury, illness, and rebuilding their lives.

Every expedition is funded by corporate partners, so the money we raise goes to our employment, mental health, and care coordination programmes, transforming lives and communities, reducing reoffending, saving the taxpayer money, and supporting the NHS.

The Grenadier Walk of Oman Expedition creates a new challenge and will take the team to a terrain not yet covered by our past expeditions. The epic adventure will mark our 10th Year Anniversary (although delayed until Autumn 2021). The expedition creates a new platform to raise awareness of the challenges facing many of those who have served. 

We are honoured to be walking across the Omani desert and to be supported by a country so closely aligned in many ways with the UK, particularly with our military. The UK supported His Majesty Sultan Qaboos during the Dhofar Conflict in 1972 and the UK and Omani military continue to train closely with one another today.

 As well as the connections with the Omani military, the Grenadier Walk of Oman is also inspired by the adventures of British Military Officer and Explorer, Wilfred Thesiger, who travelled across vast Arabian Deserts from 1945-49, including the Empty Quarter. Although he was not the first to cross this desert, he was the first to explore it thoroughly, mapping the oasis of Liwa and the quicksand Umm As-Sammim.

Wilfred Thesiger (Arabian Sands)
“No man can live this life and emerge unchanged. He will carry, however, faint, the imprint of the desert, the brand which marks the nomad; and he will have within him the yearning to return, weak or insistent according to his nature. For this cruel land can cast a spell which no temperate clime can match.” 

The expedition has been enabled by the backing of INEOS Automotive, whose Grenadier 4×4, due for release in late 2021, stands for the spirit of guts, grit and good humour embodied by the team. Other partners supporting the charity and sponsoring the expedition include Global Energy Drink Brand Monster Energy, Satellite Communications Specialists Avanti Communications, British Outdoor Clothing Brand Craghoppers, leading wealth and asset manager Shard Capital and the Invictus Games Foundation.

The Grenadier Walk of Oman is further supported by the Royal Office of HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and is in partnership with the Omani Armed Forces.