Walk a marathon around Flanders Fields for Oxfam

Oxfam is appealing for expat groups, workplace colleagues, families and friends to get involved in a fundraising marathon walk around Flanders Fields to mark the centenary of the first world war and help people affected by conflict today.

The first edition of the Peacewalker challenge will take place around the Westhoek on the Franco-Belgian border on 14 May, with teams of four set the challenge of walking 42km in 10 hours, raising a minimum of €750 per team for the charity.

"It's a big challenge," says Oxfam events organiser Delphine Giersé. "Some people will be running but the message from us is anyone can do it - we encourage walkers. With good training and good moral support, you can do it."

The walk covers an area where the first world war saw some of its most brutal battles, setting off from the Peace Village in Messines and taking in central Ypres.

"Messines was the centre of huge events during the war and many countries were involved," says Giersé. "It's important for us to make them come to this location because of the historical aspect.

"We have about 30 French-speaking teams, 30 Dutch-speaking teams and one English-speaking team. The idea is to promote the event in the international community.

"We are still in the recruitment phase. To participate you just have to be with three other friends or colleagues or family. We would love to have companies organise our event as team-building for their staff."

The money could be going towards helping people in conflict zones, or refugees escaping from them. Oxfam is active in more than 90 countries with a major focus at the moment on Syria, the Congo, the Central African Republic and the Western Sahara.

Oxfam is also looking for about 150 volunteers to help at the three different checkpoints, providing support such as handing out water, snacks - and applause and moral support. Donors can track their friends' progress in real-time online.

"It's an event full of emotions. People are counting on each other," Giersé adds. "Solidarity is one of the key words of the event. It's not just solidarity with people from other countries, but also here in Belgium - between friends.

"The people in the teams have to be able to count on each other, you start with four people and you have to arrive with the same four people. The supporters have a really big role to play - moral support is important."

She describes Peacewalker as the "little brother" of Oxfam's annual 100km TrailWalker challenge, which has been running for almost a decade and sees hundreds of teams attempt 100km in 30 hours.

To register for the walk, or donate, see peacewalker.oxfamsol.be/en