Matthew Bickham

Army Benevolent Fund Cateran Yomp 2025

On the 7 - 8 June 2025, I am taking on the Cateran Yomp for a second time. A 54-mile hike in 24 hours across rural Perthshire, Scotland.

It’s going to be tough but it will raise vital funds for the Army Benevolent Fund, providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families.

My grandfather served in the parachute regiment in WW2 and was one of the first onto the bridge at Arnhem (as featured in the film ‘A Bridge Too Far’). He was captured though and became a prisoner of war. Thankfully he returned home after the war safe and sound. For me he was a hero, trying to bring much needed peace to Europe (as were his fellow soldiers) and I think we all owe him and so many others who have served in the Army so much. This charity for me is very important and one I support whole-heartedly, not least because they helped my Grandad get back on his feet after the war had ended.

Thank you for all your support for this amazing charity.

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Gift Aid I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of UK Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or community amateur sports clubs that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.

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My Updates

4 WEEKS To GO!

A big test this weekend, new walking boots, knee upgrade (well move focused exercise for them) and a 40 mile walk from Folkstone to Broadstairs in Kent. Stunning weather, wall to wall sunshine and helping to cope with some warm climates especially if the Yomp is a little warmer this year.

5 Weeks to Go!

A great 13 mile walk on Bank Holiday Monday in wet and windy conditions but all great practice. The walk took me around the eastern side of Stansted and back home to Thorley via the northern villages. Lovely countryside but leaky walking boots. New ones now being worn in!

6 Weeks to Go!

The weather continues to provide excellent hiking conditions and last night I yomped across to a Hertfordshire village called Perry Green, known for the Henry Moore foundation. A very warm walk to start but cooled off nicely and an opportunity to walk in some dusky conditions. Great to meet my camera club friends for a walk around the bluebell woods. 9 miles covered.

7 Weeks to Go

Time is marching on and a super walk over the long weekend around Hatfield Forest and then home. The family joined me at the start and then I hiked across fields, through villages and woodland. All good practice in my preparation. Thank you to everyone who have supported me, it means so much.

8 WEEKS TO GO!

Enjoyed a beautiful long hike along the River Stort navigation between Bishop's Stortford and Harlow. 13 mile walk in preparation and continuing to increase the miles each weekend. So lucky with the weather (so far).

Upping the Miles!

Another perfect day of hiking not far from home and starting with the family who then left me to it! The medieval village of Furneaux Pelham was our starting point and then followed by a 10 mile return walk back to home. Great conditions, company and some nice rolling hills to get the legs working.

The Training has Started!

Well, the training never really stopped but today was the start of the more continuous walks building up to the big event in June. Starting from home, our walk was to the west of Bishop's Stortford, towards Bury Green and then onto Green Tye and back. 7.37 miles with my son James and golden retriever (Bramble). Stunning weather, very dry paths and blister free!

Thank you to my Sponsors

£106

Howard

A great effort and cause. Best of luck

£71

Bishop's Stortford Camera Club

£53.32

Ian Randall

Good luck Matthew, should be easier the second time round!

£53.32

John Carroll

Good luck and I hope the knees survive!

£53.32

Lesley Sprung

Great work Matthew, looking forward to the challenge again!!

£53.32

Sue Carroll

54 miles! Good luck. X

£53.32

Mike Carroll

Good luck Matthew

£42.79

Guy Emerson

Good luck Matthew!

£40

Michelle Bickham

£32.23

Paul Dennis

Good luck Matthew, gret effort for a really worthwhile cause

£32.23

Kathryn Timlin

thank you Matthew!

£32.23

Geoff Nield

Matthew - a great cause and well done for committing to the event the second year running.

£32.23

The Todds

Good luck Matthew!!

£32.23

Jon Watson

54 miles! What a challenge - best of luck!

£31.51

Angelika Hüls

Good luck!

£30

Fred Bickham

£30

Sheila Maynard

Best of luck Matthew

£30

Chas & Philippa

Best of luck on your last outing for the event 👌

£29

Matthew Bickham

£27.05

David Brooking

Good Luck and hope the knees hold out 😎🤞

£27.05

David Carroll

£25

Peter Moss

£21.84

Bally Toor

£21.84

Rosie

Great cause and quite a challenge!!

£21.84

Finn Campbell

Great stuff Matthew

£21.84

Frankie Defalco

£21.84

Mark Sangwine

Good Luck Matthew!

£21.84

Trad Hughes

See you on the Yomp!

£21.84

Richard Nickels

Thank you

£21.84

Ian Williams

£21.84

Wendy Kingshott

Good luck Matthew. You can do it!

£21.84

Graham

£21.84

Adrian Hill

Hi Matthew, Good luck with the Yomp! All the best

£21.84

Reid Family

Good luck!

£21.84

Brian Beckman

£21.84

Tom Filmer

Good luck Matthew. See you there.

£21.84

Emma Benato

£21.84

Shyam Subbaraj

All the best Matt!

£21.60

Robin Lee

Good luck Matt, all the best and enjoy!

£20

Robin Beer

£20

Alan & Clare Hodgson

Good luck. You must be mad doing it again!!

£20

Jane Dobson

Best of luck Matthew

£20

Sohesh Patel

£20

Naoual Bellafqih

£20

Ana Perez

Go Matthew!

£16.56

Olivia Misquitta

Good luck Matthew!

£16.56

Laurence Barber

Best of luck!

£16.56

James Bickham

Good luck on your adventures again, for a great cause!

£16.20

Nathan Rae

£15

Anonymous

Good Luck

£11.33

Dixie, Bscc

Best of luck Matthew, it’s a very worthy cause.

£11.33

Rosie Hurll

Good luck Matthew! Rosie and Alex xx

£11.33

Sisan Kola-lawal

£11.33

Sabine Vetterlein

Thank you for these, Matthew and best of luck in the Cateran Yomp!

£11.33

Hani Risheq

Good luck Matt! :)

£11.33

Luca Angiolini

Keep up the great work Matthew!!

£10

Gaayatiri Sanjeev

£10

Mariana Da Costa Duarte

Best of luck on your 54-mile hike in Scotland, You'll smash it!

£10

Niamh Lambert

Good luck Matt, such a great cause!

£10

Lydia Blythe

Good luck, Matthew!

£10

Zara Comerford

Good luck! Thank you for the great headshots!

£10

Carol Green

£10

Matthew Donnelly

£10

Joe Flower

Good Luck!!

£10

Victoria Humphreys

Good Luck Matthew!! :)

£10

Oliver Maytum

£10

Thomas Wackett

Thank you Matthew!

£10

Nicholson Family

£10

Cliff

£7.61

Atrin Motamed-chaboki

Thank you so much for the headshots! Wishing you the best of luck.

£6.11

Janelle Azimullah

£6.11

Lewis Bloomer

£6.11

Dylan Jenkins

£6.11

Lucy

£6.11

Izzy Osborne

£6.11

Herbert

£5

Claire Nicoll

Thanks Matthew and good luck!!

£5

Alvaro Perez Bocangra

£5

David Arciga

£5

Charlotte Lack

Our Team

Lesley Sprung (C)

Raised so far:

£181.19

Adam Tanner

Marc Bateman

Raised so far: