A new initiative, The Veterans’ Walk, has helped students build a pathway made of around 1,000 granite stones, which recognize both current and former members of the military. The structure is made up of names of hundreds of military personnel who have done us all proud.

The walkway is an ode to the brave who have sacrificed their time and lives in a bid to keep everyone else safe. It is a beautiful tribute from students at Sunderland’s Military Preparation College. 

Not only have they created the pathway, but they will be adding new stones twice a year to honour the many men and women in different branches of the military.

We love any initiative that helps support our soldiers, but this one is unique because every single stone bears the name, regimental badge, and years of service pertaining to a specific member of the military. Personnel can buy a stone themselves or get one gifted to them by their loved ones.

This is the kind of tribute that touches the heart, but also reminds us instantly of the amount of blood, sweat and tears that come from the military personnel who have taken up ranks.

Talking about the initiative, North East Regional Operations Manager and former Sandhurst instructor, Ronnie Corbett, said that the effort “is an honour for our learners.”

“The military is very much a family and through tending the stones they learn not just about the huge diversity of military campaigns and regiments but about the importance of paying tribute and of remembering. It’s about respect, gratitude and pride – and each one of them takes the greatest care to ensure the stones and the pathway are a fitting tribute to those they represent,” she explained.

Rob Deverson, operations director for Sunderland Veterans’ Walk said the organisation – which is in talks with councils across the UK to replicate it elsewhere – is “very grateful” to the MPC students.

“They are the next generation and the willingness to help and the care they take would make all our veterans very proud indeed,” he said. 

 If you want to support someone who has put on the uniform, you can head on over to the official Veterans’ Walk website here.