Eleven years ago, Mark started working, on a volunteer basis, for a local armed forces veteran and community charity, The VC Gallery, of which he is now a trustee. He was approached to train as a Saffa caseworker and did this work for 6 years alongside the VC Gallery work.
In May 2023 he did 100 Miles in May for Combat Stress and was amazed at the support he received, raising over £1,000. The following month he was awarded" The Veteran Volunteer of the Year for Wales Award" in Cardiff.
In July of that year, he was shocked to be diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer he had numerous scans tests etc culminating in 5 weeks intensive radio and chemotherapy in October 2023. On January 10 2024 he underwent surgery to remove his oesophagus and restructure his stomach. After the operation he suffered cardiac arrest and spend 9 days on life support.
He was discharged early February skeletal, weak but determined. His immunotherapy treatment finished early February this year. He has been back working for the VC Gallery and the local food bank for months but really wanted to do this March in March and walk more than the required 10 miles.
His plan was to do a 10 mile walk each week in March. As you can see from his blog he records the walks each week. For Mark to be back walking and raising money for Combat Stress has meant a lot to both of us and the physical and mental benefits of walking can't be overemphasized.
