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Forces mother met by son at north-east air base after completing 2,000-mile trek

Emma Knutzen walks the final yards to RAF Lossiemouth with her son Jake.
Emma Knutzen walks the final yards to RAF Lossiemouth with her son Jake.

A mother has completed a 2,000-mile trek across the UK to raise money for the RAF Association.

Emma Knutzen, from Huddersfield, set herself the target of travelling to every air force base in the country by foot.


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And yesterday the campaigner walked through the gates at RAF Lossiemouth to complete the huge journey after five months on the road.

Waiting for her to complete the final metres with her was her son Jake, who is based in Moray as part of the 51 Squadron RAF Regiment.

Mr Knutzen lifted the rucksack from his mother’s back and carried it for her to the end where senior officers were there to greet her at the gate.

They asked to join her as she marched an extra mile through the base to the headquarters of her son’s squadron.

Wing Commander Dave Allen, officer commanding the Lossiemouth Transition Team, presented the walker with gifts from the base to celebrate the achievement – before giving her a private tour.

More than £3,700 has already been raised from the trek across the country to support the RAF Association, which provides support to current and former personnel and their families.

After completing the journey, Mrs Knutzen described herself as “happy, relieved and exhausted”.

Before the expedition she was battling severe cluster headaches, which she has only been able to relieve by walking in the open air despite being prescribed medication.

Mrs Knutzen added: “I’m so thrilled to have arrived at Lossiemouth at the end of what has been an extraordinary journey. I have learnt so much about myself on the way as well as the RAF.

“As a mum, I feel that it is one of the most wonderful careers a young person could have. It’s been amazing to be here finally and see my son after so many months apart.”

Mrs Knutzen’s close ties with the RAF stretch back to her late grandmother Eva, who died three years ago, who served airmen with her husband as part of the Salvation Army.