We are pleased to support Veterans in Action (VIA) in its VE-80 Overland Expedition, a 4,000 mile journey across Europe commemorating the 80^th anniversary of Victory in Europe. The expedition set out from the VIA Centre in Andover on the morning of 8^th May, 2025.

The VE-80 Overland Expedition aims to honour the sacrifices of those who fought in the Second World War, and support veterans suffering from PTSD by promoting healing through camaraderie.

VIA is a post-traumatic growth Charity that helps to change veterans’ lives by harnessing their skills while working within a team of their peers on adventurous activities and expeditions to improve their mental, physical and social wellbeing. By putting long-term engagement, active skill development and peer support at the centre of its approach to supporting post-traumatic growth, VIA aims to help veterans cope with their past experiences, while thriving and finding new purpose in their post-military lives.  

Avon Protection has contributed sponsorship to the project, which has seen a team of veterans spend six months completely rebuilding three Land Rover Defender 110s in preparation for their expedition. The vehicles were stripped back to the chassis and rebuilt, before being outfitted out as one kitchen with extended awnings and uprated suspension for carrying additional water reserves; one mechanics truck with custom-made VIA molle boards and drawer systems containing supplies needed to carry out repairs during the trip; and one transport vehicle to carry the team. All vehicles were fitted with solar panels and batteries, and were finished in a special Raptor paint complete with sponsor logos.

The team will now travel together in the vehicles for the month-long journey, visiting historically significant sites across Europe to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by British forces during the Second World War.

Key sites on the trip will include Malmedy, Belgium; Market Garden, Netherlands; the Harz Mountains, Germany; Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland; Bastogne, Belgium; Nuremberg; and many others. It will end in Normandy, France, on the 6^th June, D-Day, when the world will mark 80 years of peace since the end of WWII.

Natasha Goddard-Wellon, Senior Director Marketing and Communications, Avon Protection, said: “Avon Protection has an extensive history of supporting the British forces and its partners with equipment to keep them safe throughout their military careers. The opportunity to also support veterans in their post-military lives with this expedition is something that means a lot to our company, which includes many veterans.

“We wish the team well and look forward to following their journey over the coming weeks.”