Part of the Etc.
When it comes to clearing your head, former soldier Mark Walker has discovered there’s nothing quite like hitting the open road.
With just him and his bike, the dad-of-three can happily clock up a good 100 miles in a week.
Now, keen to do his bit to help other veterans, the 49-year-old is off to cycle the length of Britain, taking in two Help for Heroes recovery centres along the way.
He will be joined on the 1000-mile journey by support driver and fellow veteran Tam McKee, who has found his own form of therapy in throwing himself into the detail of organising a task.
“We have both suffered with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Mark from Northallerton.
“I realised that for me cycling helps to release some of the frustration and the anguish.”
Granddad-of-five Tam explained: “You have to develop ways of coping. A lot of that can be finding diversional techniques.
“I worked in logistics and transport in the infantry, so that’s where my comfort zone is.”
With both men having received support from Help for Heroes and Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds, the guys felt ready to give something back. And what better way than to put their diversion tactics to good use in such a positive way?
With preparations well under way for the epic John O’Groats to Land’s End journey, starting Sunday August 6, Mark, a Prince’s Trust assistant team leader at Stockton Riverside College, said: “It seemed like a good idea but as it gets closer the nerves are setting in.”
Plotting in two stop-offs at Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick and Tedworth House Recovery Centre in Tidworth, might have added on a few extra miles but Mark said it will also offer that extra dash of inspiration.
“It will be a big challenge but I feel that I can do it,” he said.
Raising money for Help for Heroes and also The Prince’s Trust, the former soldiers will track their progress with regular posts to Facebook.
And hoping to raise as much money as possible, Mark and Tam, who both served full term careers in the army, have organised a variety of fundraisers to help bring in the cash.
“Help for Heroes helped both of us,” said Tam. “This is our chance to give something back.
“Plus we want to raise awareness that not all wounds are visible.”
Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds helps provide support to current and ex service personnel who are living with anxiety, depression, stress or anger.
If you would like to sponsor Mark and Tam on their grand tour visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-walker78 or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-walker79
You can also follow their progress on Facebook by searching for Mark and Tam’s Grand Tour.
With just him and his bike, the dad-of-three can happily clock up a good 100 miles in a week.
Now, keen to do his bit to help other veterans, the 49-year-old is off to cycle the length of Britain, taking in two Help for Heroes recovery centres along the way.
He will be joined on the 1000-mile journey by support driver and fellow veteran Tam McKee, who has found his own form of therapy in throwing himself into the detail of organising a task.
“We have both suffered with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Mark from Northallerton.
“I realised that for me cycling helps to release some of the frustration and the anguish.”
Granddad-of-five Tam explained: “You have to develop ways of coping. A lot of that can be finding diversional techniques.“I worked in logistics and transport in the infantry, so that’s where my comfort zone is.”
With both men having received support from Help for Heroes and Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds, the guys felt ready to give something back. And what better way than to put their diversion tactics to good use in such a positive way?
With preparations well under way for the epic John O’Groats to Land’s End journey, starting Sunday August 6, Mark, a Prince’s Trust assistant team leader at Stockton Riverside College, said: “It seemed like a good idea but as it gets closer the nerves are setting in.”
Plotting in two stop-offs at Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick and Tedworth House Recovery Centre in Tidworth, might have added on a few extra miles but Mark said it will also offer that extra dash of inspiration.
“It will be a big challenge but I feel that I can do it,” he said.
Raising money for Help for Heroes and also The Prince’s Trust, the former soldiers will track their progress with regular posts to Facebook.
And hoping to raise as much money as possible, Mark and Tam, who both served full term careers in the army, have organised a variety of fundraisers to help bring in the cash.
“Help for Heroes helped both of us,” said Tam. “This is our chance to give something back.
“Plus we want to raise awareness that not all wounds are visible.”
Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds helps provide support to current and ex service personnel who are living with anxiety, depression, stress or anger.
If you would like to sponsor Mark and Tam on their grand tour visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-walker78 or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-walker79
You can also follow their progress on Facebook by searching for Mark and Tam’s Grand Tour.
