Hadrian’s Wall Walk
Tax deductible
Hi all
Myself and Brady Pollington will be raising money for Combat Stress on Remembrance weekend by completing the 84 mile coast to coast path of Hadrian's wall in 24hrs.
It’s something that means a great deal of importance to me, because not only is it an important moment in time for all past and present military personnel and their families, but because I am currently suffering with
PTSD, and would like to give back to the charity who is currently helping me in my time of need.
PTSD and mental health issues are a silent killer in the military and especially in men (More than 6,000 people die by suicide every year in the UK. Nearly 80 per cent are men and male suicide rates are now at their highest level since 2001.) and even if we can give a small donation this will go a long way to helping another person on their hard journey to recovery, or at least help them to speak out and ask for help.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated and go to a great cause!
#mentalhealth #combatstress #PTSD #gofundme #givesomethingback
My story
After completing a tour of Afghanistan (Op Herrick 16) in 2012, I was quickly “normalised” by the army so I had no time to think about what things I saw and did on tour. Years later after constantly being kept busy in Tidworth I got a posting to Larkhill and everything slowed down, made worse by a knee injury which completely halted my physical fitness. I started to think about everything that happened on that tour, which affected me quite rapidly.
Simple things that we see and do in our daily lives affect me on a regular basis, and living with it is quite exhausting, which apparently is quite normal as I’m hypavigilant at the moment. Walking with my two boys, going to the beach and seeing rock formations, being in workshop surrounded by smells and familiar sounds are things that I’m really struggling with. Up until only recently I’ve had suicidal thoughts and self harmed to try and cope, nothing helped more than a chat with Combat Stress and the help I received from them and my wife who has been so understanding and supportive through all of this.
After being referred to DCMH I was put in the PTSD group therapy. Which only made my symptoms worse and had even more suicidal thoughts and started to make plans. I am currently at Parklands Mental Health Hospital, who have a MOD ward, Ive been here since 22nd June and life is looking bright for the future. I want to be able function in normal daily living again.
All I can say to those who are suffering the same illness as me, is to stand up and say something to family, friends, strangers. It’s ok to not be ok. There is so much stigma that surrounds mental health, but mental health within the military I feel is seen as a weakness, but this charity is there to prove otherwise and get us back on our feet.
I am able to go to the gym and go for runs in this hospital which has helped in my recovery, but since my knee injury it has been challenging, completing Hadrian’s wall is my personal goal and about bringing awareness that this can be something you’re going through right now, or the guy working beside you may be struggling with. Just say “are you alright mate?”
There are many charities out there to help with all types of mental health but we chose Combat Stress because of how they’ve helped me. They supported me when I needed someone to talk to the most. We want others to benefit from there efforts and get on the road to recovery just like I am.
I am extremely grateful to my family and military friends who have visited me whilst in hospital and taken me out, because I know I’m not alone in this little blip in my life, and for Brady Pollington for suggesting we do this as a goal and to raise awareness.
Some things that have helped me:-
Gym Log+
Strava
Facebook group - Leave No Man Behind.
Models for heroes
Mindfulness Classes.
Occupational therapy.
Myself and Brady Pollington will be raising money for Combat Stress on Remembrance weekend by completing the 84 mile coast to coast path of Hadrian's wall in 24hrs.
It’s something that means a great deal of importance to me, because not only is it an important moment in time for all past and present military personnel and their families, but because I am currently suffering with
PTSD, and would like to give back to the charity who is currently helping me in my time of need.
PTSD and mental health issues are a silent killer in the military and especially in men (More than 6,000 people die by suicide every year in the UK. Nearly 80 per cent are men and male suicide rates are now at their highest level since 2001.) and even if we can give a small donation this will go a long way to helping another person on their hard journey to recovery, or at least help them to speak out and ask for help.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated and go to a great cause!
#mentalhealth #combatstress #PTSD #gofundme #givesomethingback
My story
After completing a tour of Afghanistan (Op Herrick 16) in 2012, I was quickly “normalised” by the army so I had no time to think about what things I saw and did on tour. Years later after constantly being kept busy in Tidworth I got a posting to Larkhill and everything slowed down, made worse by a knee injury which completely halted my physical fitness. I started to think about everything that happened on that tour, which affected me quite rapidly.
Simple things that we see and do in our daily lives affect me on a regular basis, and living with it is quite exhausting, which apparently is quite normal as I’m hypavigilant at the moment. Walking with my two boys, going to the beach and seeing rock formations, being in workshop surrounded by smells and familiar sounds are things that I’m really struggling with. Up until only recently I’ve had suicidal thoughts and self harmed to try and cope, nothing helped more than a chat with Combat Stress and the help I received from them and my wife who has been so understanding and supportive through all of this.
After being referred to DCMH I was put in the PTSD group therapy. Which only made my symptoms worse and had even more suicidal thoughts and started to make plans. I am currently at Parklands Mental Health Hospital, who have a MOD ward, Ive been here since 22nd June and life is looking bright for the future. I want to be able function in normal daily living again.
All I can say to those who are suffering the same illness as me, is to stand up and say something to family, friends, strangers. It’s ok to not be ok. There is so much stigma that surrounds mental health, but mental health within the military I feel is seen as a weakness, but this charity is there to prove otherwise and get us back on our feet.
I am able to go to the gym and go for runs in this hospital which has helped in my recovery, but since my knee injury it has been challenging, completing Hadrian’s wall is my personal goal and about bringing awareness that this can be something you’re going through right now, or the guy working beside you may be struggling with. Just say “are you alright mate?”
There are many charities out there to help with all types of mental health but we chose Combat Stress because of how they’ve helped me. They supported me when I needed someone to talk to the most. We want others to benefit from there efforts and get on the road to recovery just like I am.
I am extremely grateful to my family and military friends who have visited me whilst in hospital and taken me out, because I know I’m not alone in this little blip in my life, and for Brady Pollington for suggesting we do this as a goal and to raise awareness.
Some things that have helped me:-
Gym Log+
Strava
Facebook group - Leave No Man Behind.
Models for heroes
Mindfulness Classes.
Occupational therapy.
Fundraising team: Dan & Polly (2)
Dan Woodhouse
Organizer
Combat Stress
Registered nonprofit
Donations eligible for Gift Aid.
Brady Pollington
Team member
