The Lariam Tab

Today marked the end of Day 5 of #TheLariamTab, and with it, an important milestone,100 miles completed. A quarter of the journey behind me, and every step taken in memory.

The route from Wark to Riding Mill (17.5 miles) was one of beauty and history in equal measure.

The path wound its way through Barrasford, Chollerton, and West Cocklaw, eventually leading to Heavenfield, the site of the 633 battle that helped shape the early story of Northumbria.

To stand on ground where warriors fought nearly 1,400 years ago was a reminder of how much history lies hidden in the landscapes we walk across today.

From there, I crossed Hadrian’s Wall at Mould’s Close, before passing through Acomb, Oakwood, Corbridge, and Corbridge Station, finally arriving in Riding Mill. The River Tyne kept close by, offering both a natural path and a connection to the past, flowing through centuries of stories.

Reaching the 100-mile mark is both humbling and motivating. This isn’t just a personal challenge of endurance, nor simply a journey through history. It is a walk of remembrance and awareness, for the men and women of the Armed Forces who lost their lives not on the battlefield, but after coming home. Many veterans have been harmed by the anti-malarial drug Mefloquine (Lariam), and too many have gone on to take their own lives. Their stories, and the grief of the families left behind, must not be forgotten.

So today, at 100 miles, I pause to raise a glass, not in celebration of distance walked, but in memory of those lives lost and in recognition of the resilience of those still living with the consequences. There are still three-quarters of the journey to go, and every step forward will continue to honour their memory and build awareness.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, shared, and encouraged along the way. This Tab is bigger than any single walker. It is about all of us, remembering, raising our voices, and ensuring that no more veterans are lost in silence.

Please share this journey with others. Awareness saves lives.