Apologies in advance for a long thread.
My brother and I both served in the forces; him in Bosnia/Kosovo, me in Iraq. Both of us have suffered from PTSD and depression and have needed help. For me it came to a head last summer - 5 and a half years after I got back. I'd already been treated for PTSD because of nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety relating to the combat experiences, but things started getting worse. I was a Captain with 150 soldiers and officers to look after and, despite numerous injuries and wounds, I brought them all back alive. Despite the old cliche, I was the first to step off the plane, and last to walk up the ramp of the Hercules 7 months later. Since then, two of my guys have committed suicide because of their experiences (one on xmas day 2008), one friend killed (hit in the face with an RPG in Afghanistan), two friends in the same roadside IED in Afghanistan, one in a plane crash and one in an RTA. I had left the forces and started feeling guilty that my soldiers and friends were dying around me, but I was not doing my bit and not there to help them. Also, the PTSD symptoms were returning with a vengance. 14 June this year, I lost it, kissed the children goodbye and walked out of the house with a rope and a gun with the aim of ending it all.
Before I could go through with it, the police arrived in force with the helicopter, dog team and two armed response teams. After a brief standoff (I had no intention of hurting anyone else, just myself) I was arrested and sectioned. I have been undergoing treatment since that night and am making improvements, I have returned to work and just have the Crown Court case for the firearms offence to deal with starting in January. Psychiatric reports, police statements (all in my support) and character references should mean a good chance of aquittal, but there remains a risk of conviction.
Now to the point of the thread - The NHS have little resources to help people like me. Combat Stress is a charity formed in 1919 looking after war veterans, with 3 hospitals around the UK, and they have been wonderful in helping me. After my court case is over, I am due to be admitted for a while, but this costs Combat Stress £2100 each week. I'm determined that I pay my way and that I pay for a few more like me to have a stay too. I'm aiming to raise £21k, which will pay for me and nine others. What I can't raise in a year, I'll pay out of my own money.
In the spring, my brother and I will be running from Cheltenham war memorial to the cenotaph in London (120 miles, 2 days, as much cross country as possible). This is just the warmup though.
In the summer, I'm planning to cycle John O'Groats to Land's End, solo, unsupported and within 3 days. The route I have selected is a bit scenic, so at 960 miles I should be doing 320 per day. I'll carry all I need, but am only planning to stop for 20 minutes every 8 hours and fight through in one go.
Despite going solo, I'd appreciate riding buddies for short stretches along the way (will conserve my ipod battery if I can talk to someone) and will publish the route if anyone fancies meeting up on the road?
What I'm asking for here is advice and tips, both for the ride and how I can maximise fundraising. Many of you must have done rides for charity and will know the most effective ways of raising corporate sponsorship, online fundraising, sponsor forms, publicity etc. Let me know what I should be doing to maximise the return and make it worthwhile for such a good cause.
