The sacrifice of so many during the First World War cast a long shadow over the rest of the 20th century and its shade continues to be felt some 100 years since the conflict came to an end.

As a result, the loss of so many amid the cruel conditions of the killing fields of the Western Front, snaking from the coast of Belgium in the north down to the Alsace region of north east France, has been marked with a host of poignant commemorations for its centenary.

Perhaps one of the most celebrated were the poppies which appeared to flow over the walls of the Tower of London three years ago.

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Now, one of the charities to benefit from that remarkable event will stage a 100-mile walk stretching from the battlefields of Ypres – site of the Menin Gate, the huge memorial to the fallen British and Commonwealth soldiers who died without a grave – to London, in time for the national remembrance event at the Cenotaph.

And in doing so they will walk across Kent where it is hoped the streets will be lined with well-wishers cheering them on.

In addition, the organisers are calling on the county to show ‘Dunkirk spirit’ and help put up the walkers overnight during the three days they will be in the county.

The organiser is Haig Housing, which helps provide support and accommodation for ex-servicemen and women.

Its chief executive officer is Brigadier James Richardson.

He explains: “The 100th anniversary is a focal point for us to remember both the losses, including those who came home wounded, but also all of those in the armed forces who have been in conflict since.

“We wanted something more akin to a community event and involve our veterans to help them give something back.

“It’s just about 100 miles to walk, if you take out the Channel, from Ypres – 100 years, 100 veterans, 100 miles – it just chimes for the centenary.

“What we are seeking to do from November 7 to 10 is to walk 25 miles a day, back to London, before taking part in the national remembrance at the Cenotaph on November 11.

“In order to make it work and involve people we’re seeking the people of Kent to embrace the walkers and offer accommodation and support to the walkers.

“From the evening of the 7th we’ll be in Kent – so we’ll need 150 host families; 50 for each of the three overnight stops in the county.

“We’ll be staying in a London hotel for the final night close to the Cenotaph. I hope the very generous people of Kent will be able to do that.”

The organisers have already held talks with police about the route and have been given permission.

After catching the ferry from Dunkirk to Dover, the route will see the walkers move through the county, heading up through Temple Ewell then taking minor roads parallel to the A2 before entering Canterbury on the A2050 New Dover Road.

The second night’s stop is scheduled to be around the Faversham area. Walkers will then continue through Sittingbourne and into Medway before stopping at Meopham for the third night.

The following day should see them reach London for an overnight stop ahead of the Sunday service on November 11 at the Cenotaph in Westminster.

Brig Richardson said: “We don’t want to get so big we become a problem, so no roads will need to be closed, but we’re hoping some celebrities and supporters of the charity will come and support us, plus some local politicians – to help raise the profile of the whole effort.”

The 100 veterans taking part will age between 35 and their late 70s, some of which will be carrying injuries “both obvious and unseen”.

Each will be tasked with raising a target of £1,918 – to mark the year of the ceasefire.

“We’re expecting more than 100 veterans to volunteer and what we’ll do is ensure there’s a good geographical spread, male and female, good age range and from the army, navy and air force.

“Twenty-five miles a day is challenging. It’s not for the faint-hearted. We’ll produce a training programme so they can do it.

“We know it’s tough and for it to mean something it’s no bad thing it’s tough. We want people to focus on the pilgrimage they are making. But we’ll give them every assistance and make sure they have a doctor’s certificate saying they’re OK to make the walk.

“Our motto is we’ll start with 100 and we’ll finish with 100. We’ll not leave anyone behind. That’s not what the veteran community is about.”

It is expected the route will be confirmed by September and it is hoped the people of Kent will show their support – either by being a host or lining the route.

Brig Richardson, who will be taking part in the walk himself, concludes: “My message to people in Kent is to continue to support the veterans as they have throughout history and if they are able to support this pilgrimage, this endeavour, with an offer of a room, dinner, breakfast and transport we’d be delighted to hear from them.”

How can you help?

Each of the 100 veterans taking part in the hike will need accommodation overnight during the walk’s three days crossing Kent, en route from Dover to central London.

And that means kind-hearted residents are being asked to show the ‘Dunkirk spirit’ and open their homes to those taking part.

Each host will receive a special ‘The Long Walk Home’ goody bag plus a unique commemorative gift to recognise their generosity and hospitality.

Fifty hosts will be needed for each of the three stops the walkers will be making.

You will need to not only be a 30-minute drive from the stop and start points, but also be able to ensure the walkers are back in good time for the walk to resume the following day.

So could you help?

Those wanting to take part will need to be able to host walkers, of the same sex, for the night.

You’ll need to provide either twin or two single beds - but not a double bed.

Walkers will need to be collected at around 6pm - assuming the weather does not delay them - and they will need to be returned to the same collection point by 8.30am the following morning.

During their stay, the walkers will need a hot evening meal, shower or bath facilities, and, ideally, the opportunity to dry or wash clothes overnight.

They will also need breakfast in the morning prior to being dropped off.

Organisers say the hosts do not need to be veterans, but should be supportive of the Armed Forces and veterans.

Those hosting walkers can provide accommodation for more than one night of the expedition - but must be based no more than 30 minutes’ drive away from the day’s collection point.

If you’re interested, you can fill out the host offer form on Haig Housing’s website.

Go to the Long Walk Home page of the Haig Housing site.

The three collection and drop-offs points are:

Wednesday, November 7: Dover area

Thursday, November 8: Faversham area

Friday, November 9: Meopham area

Remember, you can become a host if you live within a 30-minute drive from any of the pick-up or collection points above.

What does Haig Housing do?

The organiser of the event, Haig Housing, can trace its roots back to 1929, when a charitable trust was set up as a memorial to the First World War general Field Marshal Earl Haig in recognition of his work to help ease and solve problems facing ex-service personnel and their families.

The Douglas Haig Memorial Homes, also known as Haig Homes, were designed to provide a house for those who suffered as the result of conflict and underwent an expansion in the 1930s and then again in the 1950s.

Further homes were added during the 1990s and 2000s.

The Haig Housing Trust, known as Haig Housing, was formed in 2008 as a sister charity and the trusts were amalgamated in October 2013.

The objective of Haig Housing is to provide housing assistance to ex-service people and or their dependants.

Currently this objective is achieved by letting general-needs homes at affordable rents and providing tailored housing solutions to suit the individual needs of severely wounded and disabled veterans.

Today, it has more than 1,500 properties across the UK.

Its biggest estate consists of some 270 homes in Morden, London, but it also has properties in both Dartford and Broadstairs.

In addition, Haig Housing offers a range of housing advice to the service community and is the strategic housing partner of Help for Heroes.