A group of friends planned to walk 12 miles this weekend to raise money for veteran’s mental health charity ‘Combat Stress’.
The group was taking on Combat Stress’s ‘March in March’ to help get donations to ensure veterans can get the support they need and raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.
Kelvin Price, the organiser of the walk, said: “As veterans who have served in several operational theatres, mental health is something close to our hearts, and we all know other veterans who have been affected by mental health issues and who have benefitted from Combat Stress’ mental health services.”
Mr Price said that the charity “provides a range of community, outpatient and residential mental health services to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, and also provides services in-person, via phone calls and online”.
The walk was planned to take place tomorrow, Saturday 11th March, starting at Hoyland Memorial and then paying respects throughout the walk.
The walkers were then visiting the war memorials at Chapeltown, Ecclesfield Church, Grenoside, Wadsley Bridge, and Hillsborough Park, finishing at the memorial in the centre of Sheffield.
Mr Price said as a charity it very much relies on donations and in “true reflection of military values” this is a small way for us to support a worthwhile cause.
“We’ve set up a fundraising group called ‘Patriots’ on the Combat Stress events website and we’re hoping to raise £3,000. If anyone would like to help they can click on the link and press the Sponsor us button. Any donation no matter how small would be most welcome.”
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. For over a century, they’ve helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.
Just £27 could fund a veteran’s call to the charity’s 24-hour helpline and £250 could pay for two veterans to have an appointment with a psychologist.
The walk has been postponed because of the snow and is due to be taking place when the weather gets better.
Here is the donation link for those who want to contribute: (https://events.combatstress.org.uk/fundraisers/Patriots)