The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will take part in the Vierdaagse van de IJzer in Ypres on 21 August 2026 as from 8.15 AM.  Through this participation, the organisation is launching CWGC Move & Connect, a new wellbeing initiative designed to bring colleagues together through physical activity, health and social connection.

During the walking event, more than 64 CWGC employees will take on either the 24 km or 32 km route. The initiative forms part of a broader ambition to strengthen wellbeing and team spirit among employees across all areas of the organisation.

What makes CWGC Move & Connect unique is that colleagues from a wide range of professions will be walking side by side. Gardeners, stonemasons, technical staff, accountants, communications professionals and managers will come together as one team. Participants will be easily recognisable in their specially designed CWGC T-shirts.

The day will begin with a shared breakfast at the Menin Gate Café, located next to the iconic Menin Gate. Colleagues who are not taking part in the walk but who are volunteering to support the event will also play an important role in the initiative.



After crossing the finish line, participants, volunteers and supporters will be welcomed back to the Menin Gate Café for refreshments.

The Vierdaagse van de IJzer marks the first activity within the CWGC Move & Connect programme. Through this initiative, the CWGC aims to create further opportunities for colleagues to connect, stay active and share positive experiences together.

For the CWGC, the Vierdaagse van de IJzer also carries particular symbolic significance. The route passes a number of military cemeteries and memorials maintained by the organisation. By taking part in a walking event so closely connected to the historic landscape of the Ypres Salient and the wider Westhoek region, the CWGC links its wellbeing objectives to its core mission: commemorating the Commonwealth war dead and preserving their legacy for future generations.

The walk will also take participants beneath the world-famous Menin Gate, a monument with which the CWGC has been associated for more than a century and which will celebrate its centenary next year. The event therefore represents not only a sporting challenge, but also a tangible reminder of the history and heritage entrusted to the Commission's care.

Sarah Camerlynck, Deputy Director C&SEA, Commonwealth War Graves Commission: "Through CWGC Move & Connect, we want to bring colleagues together in an accessible way while investing in their wellbeing. The Vierdaagse van de IJzer provides the perfect opportunity to do so. Physical activity benefits both mental and physical health, while colleagues share a unique challenge together. What makes this initiative particularly special is that employees from very different professional backgrounds are walking side by side as one team. At the same time, this event has special significance for the CWGC. The route takes us past cemeteries and memorials that we maintain and protect every day. It is a natural way to combine movement, connection and our mission."

The CWGC is committed not only to preserving its historic sites and supporting employee wellbeing, but also to fostering a working environment built on connection, development and engagement.

Looking for a new professional challenge? The CWGC regularly recruits motivated colleagues who want to contribute to the preservation of a unique international heritage. Visit www.cwgc.org/careers to explore current opportunities or submit a speculative application. Perhaps next year you will be walking alongside us as part of CWGC Move & Connect.