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Hugo Lister

The Frontline Walk 2026: Italy 16-20 September

Donate to Hugo and help them hit their goal of £3000!

Army Benevolent Fund

I'm taking part in the Frontline Walk: Italy. I'll be trekking though Italy to visit Monte Cassino and retrace soldier's footsteps in the historic battleground.

I'll be doing this to commemorate the sacrifices and bravery these individuals made during the Battle of Monte Cassino, whilst helping to support the soldiers and veterans of today.

It will be a physically and emotionally tough challenge, but I'm doing it all for a great cause: The Army Benevolent Fund, the National Charity of the British Army. They support soldiers, veterans and their families when they need it most.

Please cheer me on by making a donation towards my target.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£2,027 + £464.56 GiftAid

My Goal

£3,000

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My Updates

Thank you

Dear All,

I volunteered for this walk because I like walking, AND because of a clear, ongoing need for medical, social and financial support to serving and former soldiers, and their families.  I believe the ABF better understands the demands, pressures and consequences of serving in the Army than most agencies, and (obviously) has closer connections with those likely to be in need, and therefore better placed to direct funds where they are needed - yes, repetition of the word ‘need’.

For those of you who have already given, thank you.  While, for those still thinking about it, please support generously.

Otherwise, our three day walk across the Apennines was not easy, and I was glad of the training I did in the Balkans, around Suffolk and more recently Wales - old habits.  The evenings in Italy were another matter, and I can unhesitatingly recommend you seek out Sir Jasper’s restaurant in Cassino, if you’re passing, and yes we were nonplussed by the name too but I think it might have rugby associations.

Thank you again.

Hugo

My ABF walk from Salerno to Cassino is complete - 16th to 20th September

Dear All,

So, my Italian walk, on behalf of the Army Benevolent Fund, from the beaches of Salerno to the (now restored) beautiful Abbey/Monastery of Monte Cassino is complete.  

We took in several battlefields stretching from the coastal plains below Castelforte, then Monte Camino (known as Murder Mountain), and finally a long trek up a goat track, named Cavendish Road after being engineered into a vital lifeline to the battle in the mountains around the Abbey.

The cemeteries we visited en route are a testament to just a few of the terrible battles fought after the landings on 8th September 1943, and the final capture of Monte Cassino on 18th May 1944.  Judged to be some of the most savage battles in WW2, fought against a very experienced, well-equipped and well-led enemy (at least at a tactical level), and made much more difficult by the severe mountainous terrain, the rivers and the terrible weather over that winter.  A distance of only 120km as the crow flies.  The price for the Allies was about 62,000 casualties (dead, lost or wounded).  

There were a further 32,000 Allied casualties in the battles following the Anzio landings on the 22nd January, about 200km up the coast from Salerno, and the entry to Rome on the 4th June.

Our daily walks were shorter than I expected due to the extreme weather this year and, I suspect, because the organisers were overly ambitious with the ground; the terrain is very difficult, and it was still a notable footslog.

I have attached some pictures of a few of the cemeteries we visited, full of youngsters from Britain, Ireland, France, Morocco, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan (to be) and Nepal, New Zealand and Poland (and others). 

Thank you to my Sponsors

£630

Hugo Lister

£500

Jane Miller

Good luck Hugo x

£106.85

David Hutchinson

Privileged to have met you. Good cause. Good man.

£66.45

Phil Baker

Fantastic accomplishment Hugo. Phil and Shay from the Dung Beetles

£54.68

Camilla & Charlie

Congratulations on completing the walk I know a lot of effort went into preparing for it Looks like it was worth the effort

£53.32

Krystyna Wilson

What a great cause especially as my dad took part in the Italian campaign and was at Casino as part of the polish corps.

£50

Freya Lister

Well done Daddy, proud of you!

£50

Philip Rowbotham

£47.04

T. P. Hugo Lister

£33.83

Nicole White

hope all went well Hugo!

£33.15

Brian

Hugo - best of luck, though I'm sure you won't need it, and a good cause too.

£33.15

Steve

Great cause, hope it goes well!

£33.15

John Massey

Hugo great cause hope the walk goes well.

£33.15

Andrew Wishart

have a great walk with Ian.

£33.15

Saskia Lister

Go Dad Go!!! Good luck xx

£33.15

Mike Reynolds

Hugo, Sounds like you are going to be tested. Good luck . Mike

£33.15

Mark

All the best, Hugo. Great to see you are taking it easy in retirement ;-)

£32.23

Shannon Murphy

Good luck Hugo, a physically and emotionally tough challenge, but what an experience. Enjoy the day and such a great cause.

£32.23

David Smith

All the very best with this Hugo. Wishing you every success in your preparation and walk itself.

£23.45

Alison Steel

£23.45

Edmund Barker

Long time. Have you seen Sandy?

£22.80

Anonymous

£22.80

Alastair Campbell

Good luck and keep us posted with dates etc.

£22.80

Dave Easey

Well done Hugo, a great thing to do!

£11.55

Martin Leacock

Bonne Chance Captain !

£11.33

Paul Manning

Good luck Hugo, its where my Canadian uncle served.

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