91-year-old goes the extra mile for The Salvation Army

A 91-year-old who says The Salvation Army became his “family” after he was evacuated out of London during the Blitz has raised thousands of pounds for causes close to his heart by completing an extraordinary virtual walking challenge.

Joe Wallace set himself the challenge of virtually walking the 874-mile distance from John o’Groats to Land’s End by clocking up the miles on walks closer to home in Cambridgeshire.

The challenge began just after his 90th birthday after his son Duncan suggested that, if he could manage 10,000 steps a day, he could cover the equivalent distance between the two ends of mainland Britain.

He completed the virtual 874-mile journey ahead of his 91st birthday and continued walking, covering more than 1,200 miles before travelling to Cornwall to walk the final three-mile coastal stretch into Land’s End on his 91st birthday.

The challenge raised more than £10,000 for five charities with special meaning to him and his family, with The Salvation Army the first organisation he chose to support.

His connection with The Salvation Army began when he was just seven years old, after his family had been forced out of London during the Second World War.

He said: “The Salvation Army was the first charity I thought of because at the age of seven I followed The Army band with my mother and sister from an open-air meeting to The Army hall at Uxbridge.

“We had recently been bombed out of London during the Blitz and my father stayed in a rented home in London to keep his job. Growing up, I only saw him at weekends, and The Army became my family.”

That childhood encounter began an association with The Salvation Army lasting decades. He went on to work in the Accounts Department at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in Queen Victoria Street before being called up for National Service.

He was also Deputy Bandmaster and Singing Company Leader at Uxbridge Salvation Army and later served as a musician and bandmaster during his 20 years in the Royal Air Force.

Music even played a part in the conclusion of his latest challenge. He took his trombone with him for the final three-mile walk into Land’s End, playing snatches of tunes along the way and Happy Birthday to himself when he got to the iconic signpost., accompanied by members of his family, including his grandson Sam, who travelled from Australia to join him.

Describing the moment he finally reached the famous Land’s End signpost, he said: “I felt elated when I walked the final steps up to the signpost that showed John o’Groats to Land’s End.”

The £10,000-plus raised through the challenge is being distributed through Kimbolton Rotary Club, ensuring all of the money raised goes to the five chosen charities. 

Adele Atiyah, Assistant Head of Community and Membership Fundraising for The Salvation Army, thanked Joe for his support.

She said: “We want to send a massive thank to Joe for completing his amazing fundraising walk and for supporting The Salvation Army across seven decades. The Salvation Army may have changed a lot, but we have consistently helped thousands of vulnerable people across the country and remain committed to loving God and others. We wouldn’t be able to achieve any of this without supporters like Joe.”