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EX-SOLDIERS took on a gruelling triathlon in the hope of
helping armed forces veterans struggling with civilian life.
Veterans Gary Davies, Phil
Williams, Ronnie Devlin, Richard Davies and Dave Nolan all took part in the
event which is fundraising for the project Change Step, a support service for ex-
military servicemen and women.
Gary, 42, and Phil, 41, both from
Bangor cycled 150 miles across North Wales last week whilst Ronnie, 46, and
Dave, 29, both from Prestatyn were accompanied by Richard, 40, from Rhyl on
their 50 mile walk. The guys marched from Llangollen to Prestatyn along the
Offa’s Dyke path and Clwydian hills.
Change Step is a project run by
charity CAIS in which trained ex-soldiers offer support to other veterans suffering
with problems such as substance misuse or post traumatic stress disorder, as
many veterans struggle to readapt to civilian life after leaving service.
Cyclist Phil Williams, 41, served as
a team leader and sniper with the First Battalion Welsh Guards between 1988 and
1993 and was proud of the lads’ achievement.
“It was tiring but it was good fun. I kept setting myself
little challenges every day,” he said.
”The worst hill climb was on the last day between Wrexham
and Coed Poeth, it just kept going and going. I think all the lads are proud as
it was for a good cause.”
He added: “Change Step provides a service like no other,
it’s a service for ex-service men run by veterans themselves.”
The triathlon, which started
Monday, finished with a swimming relay event at the Nova Centre in Prestatyn on
Thursday. Barclays’ Ben Copeland of the Rhyl branch also took part in the swim
and volunteer Mervyn Jones from Llanrwst joined the final part of the walk.
The cycle ride passed through Bangor,
Caernarfon, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Bala, Corwen, Llangollen,
Wrexham, Ruthin, Denbigh and Prestatyn.
Geraint Jones is the Change Step project manager at CAIS and
explained why the service is needed.
“Many ex-servicemen and women struggle without the camaraderie they
experienced in the armed forces once they leave, especially after they’ve
served in combat,” he said.
“This combined with substance misuse problems together with
post-traumatic stress disorder can make it very difficult for people to find
their place in society once they’ve left the military which can lead to
spiralling problems
“Change Step is a
fantastic project. Many veterans have given everything for their country but
struggle once they leave. We are here now to support those who need it.
“This was a fantastic effort by all the lads and I want to congratulate
them on their real hard work.”
Carl Borum, 53, has run the Tudor Lodge in Porthmadog with
his wife Anja since 2006. The couple, who provided accommodation for the
cyclists, have two grown up children who have served in the forces. Samantha,
26, serves in the Royal Navy and Robin, 24, served until recently as a Royal
Marine.
“We are supporting this as we know the pressures the
military are under,” he said.
“The veterans are coming out into a different world and
there is no major support. My son has toured Afghanistan and he has suffered
trauma. He’s stayed on the straight and narrow but I understand how it can
affect people.”
The event, which was match-funded through Barclays, was
supported by several businesses including the Tudor Lodge in Porthmadog, The Wynnstay
Arms Hotel Wrexham, The Plas Coch Hotel Bala, Halfords in Bangor and the Nova
Centre in Prestatyn.
To donate to Change Step please visit www.justgiving.com/changestep
For more information about Change Step contact 0845 06 121 12, or log onto
www.cais.co.uk
Anyone wishing to donate can log onto www.justgiving.com/Changestep
