I was medically discharged in October 2015 from the British Army due to a lower back injury I never fully recovered from. Following a 19 year career as a Combat Medical Technician, I have served in the UK, Germany and Northern Ireland, and deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Since my discharge I started suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in October 2016. I have received Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to treat my symptoms and gained the tools to help me deal with them, which is no longer on daily basis (for now at least).

Whilst I was awaiting my discharge as Wounded Injured Sick (WIS) soldier I was able to attend a Battle Back Course at Lilleshall. This course is focused around adaptive sports and mental welfare. Whilst there we supposed to be going on a bike ride, I explained I could not due to the amount of additional pain cycling causes in my lower back. So I was introduced to the recumbent trike, for the first time in god knows how long I was able to exercise without causing myself any additional pain or discomfort.

On my return home I approached Help for Heroes to see if they were able to assist me in purchasing my own recumbent trike. Explaining the benefits I had felt and how much I had enjoyed it. After a little input from my doctor they agreed to source one for me with the help of the RAMC Association. About a month later I was called to Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison to assist in the building of my ICE Sprint Recumbent Trike.

Prior to my discharge I did a lot of transitional courses at Phoenix House tailored to try and help with the transition from military to civilian life. I also achieved a Level 3 Health & Safety in the work place qualification thanks to Help for Heroes in Phoenix House. The real support kicks in once you are out of the forces, with offers of holidays both abroad and domestic, cinema events and a host of other opportunities. Including continual support through a designated case worker.

So to try and give a little back my wife and I are cycling Land's End to John O'Groats on our recumbent trikes. We are doing a route by Sustrans which uses the National Cycle Networks and quiet roads. The route is approximately 1188 miles, but this can change due to road/route closures etc. The main destinations for the route are; Land's End; Truro; Bodmin; Bude; Barnstaple; Dulverton; Glastonbury; Bristol; Gloucester; Worcester; Bridgnorth; Nantwich; Manchester; Whalley; Borwick; Penrith; Gretna Green; Abington; Glasgow; Balloch; Callander; Killin; Pitlochry; Aviemore; Inverness; Lairg; Tongue; Thurso & John O'Groats. We will be trikin' unsupported (so no support vehicles etc).

Help for Heroes is a very worthwhile charity that cannot afford to fall from the public eye just because we are no longer in a conflict at present. There are service leavers and their families who require the support and services provided by Help for Heroes. Wether this be courses, advise, financial assistance or respite. So please help us give back to charity that has given so much to other wounded/injured veterans, my family and me.