135 Miles and 45 Locks...not enough days. http://bigriverchallenge.com
"Later in the conflict I received a bayonet wound and went to the army field hospital at Ajax Bay. What I saw there was very disturbing. Soldiers screaming in pain. Burns, gunshot wounds, massive shrapnel wounds and amputees. The images never leave you. A man was lying dead two feet in front of me when I arrived.
"There were other postings after the Falklands and that was when things started to go wrong for me...."My wife was feeling the stress of it all as well. I was becoming a different person and she had two nervous breakdowns during that time.
"In 1984 I was stationed at Woolwich Barracks when an IRA bomb went off. There was screaming and shouting. There were wives and children nearby. I was found in the rubble. Not surprisingly, my wife was left traumatised by this event and she gave an ultimatum. Either she would leave me or I had to leave the army.." Excerpts of Darrens Story from Combat Stress.
Combat Stress supports HM Armed Forces ex -servicemen and women who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and had been involved in conflicts and wars. This illness which effects the mind is also known as Combat Stress or Shell Shock. Those who have these symptoms need care and assistance in trying to lead normal lives for their children and families, and thankfully Combat Stress offers that support.
Big River Challenge are trying to highlight and raise a small amount of money by canoeing the River Thames from the 10th of October until 14th of October for Combat Stress - 135 miles in total.
So please dig deep and donate now, what ever you can afford!
Nick Johnson
On behalf of the Big River Challenge Team
Thames Challenge Team: - Nick Johnson, John Radoux, Richard Bates
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