After a number of years struggling with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) my husband passed away in September 2015. As a Veteran of Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, I can't even begin to imagine the horrors that he has encountered along the way. During these times he was never concerned by his own welfare but more about the welfare of those he was serving along with or was in command of.

It was only after leaving the forces that his symptoms of PTSD started to be come apparent and being the proud man that his was he felt that it was a sign of weakness to admit that he was struggling and did not want to talk to anyone about how he was feeling. He thought they would not understand. I truly believe that it was not a sign of weakness but due to the extraordinary things that he did and achieved while serving his country.

With the help and support friends and family I have decided to take a 12 month career break to help me come to terms with my bereavement and to take some time for myself.

After a crazy conversation over coffee, I have also decided to use the time to try to raise awareness of PTSD and the effects that it can have on the individual and all of those who care about them. I also want to raise money for PTSD charities to help them to help those suffering.

Over the next 12 months I intend to complete 10 personal challenges and this is where you all come in.
I aim to get 1000 'likes' for Mike for each challenge and if everyone presses 'like' also donates £1 (by pressing the button at the top of the page) then £1000 per challenge will be raised and hopefully I can raise £10,000 over the year.

If you can't spare a pound then please share my page with as many people as you can so that I can reach this goal by the end of March 2017.