As many of you will know, I've recently got into walking in a big way, and have managed to tick off many well-trodden and not so well-trodden walks in and around Yorkshire and the North East. I've done these walks with friends and also on my own, and while it's obviously been fantastic for my general levels of fitness, by far the biggest benefit to me has been to my mental health. Being out in nature, especially with some of the amazing scenery we have up here, has definitely made me happier and more positive, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

One of my favourite walks was the Teesdale Way, a 92 mile hike that starts in Dufton in Cumbria, and finishes at the South Gare breakwater in Cleveland, largely following the course of the river Tees. I did it in nice 15-20 mile sections spread over a few weeks, but then the crazy idea of challenging myself to do it in one go and in under 36 hours kept bugging me, so after a few training sessions, here I am! Of course, it's always a wise move to do these things in aid of a Good Cause because that really helps spur you on to achieve it for them as well as yourself, so for me - given my background and the benefits received from all this walking - the choice of charity was obvious.

Having had the privilege of serving as an officer in the Light Dragoons, I'm aware of how military service and the transition to civilian life can take a toll on veterans' mental health. I also know how difficult it can sometimes be to reach out for help. I'm therefore delighted to be raising funds for the amazing charity Combat Stress. They do a really fantastic job supporting so many former servicemen and women, and I know that any donation, however small, will make a massive difference. More info on the charity can be found below, and I do hope you'll be able to sponsor me and in turn help them.

Thank you for your support, and do please share! You can also follow updates and my progress on Twitter at Teesdale Way Challenge (@TeesdaleWay) / Twitter

Andrew

Combat Stress are the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. For over a century, they’ve helped former servicemen and women deal with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).They’re on a mission to raise awareness that invisible injuries can be just as hard to cope with as physical ones. So when a veteran is having a tough time, they’re there to help them tackle the past and take on the future.