My Activity Tracking
1,061
mi
Race report


On the 13th July, I will be taking on The Race to the Stones ultra marathon to raise awareness of veterans mental health I will be running 100km in one day to raise funds for Combat Stress: The UK's Leading Charity for Veterans' Mental Health.
In 2007, while serving in the British Army with the 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment we deployed on a six-month tour to Afghanistan. During this time, The regiment was on the frontline and engaged in combat almost on a daily basis.
Upon leaving the army I struggled to adjust to civilian life and I was soon diagnosed with depression and although I received good support from my GP and private counselling it barely scratched the surface...
My mood was always really low, and I had a really low outlook on life, I struggled to concentrate on simple takes, struggled to find enjoyment and be motivated by things I used to enjoy. However, there was another symptom that was not picked up by the GP, I was always on edge, I could not let my guard down. I could not cope in crowded environments or even standing in a queue in a supermarket, I had to stand side-on because I needed to know what was behind me, or in a restaurant I had to sit with my back to a wall. When I was getting anxious, I would start to get jittery, short tempered and not keep still. It was mentally exhausting but it was difficult to rest or sleep. I now know this is a common symptom of PTSD called hypervigilance that I would later be diagnosed with”.
During a particularly difficult time, i reached out to Combat Stress. I was seen separately by both a phycologist and a physiatrist and was asked countless questions about my service, the things which had happened and how I had been feeling, behaving and reacting. After returning to the waiting room, I was called back into a meeting with both of them and they diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress disorder. Not only did they give a diagnosis, they took the time to explain why…
Most people think that with PTSD in veterans it is because what they had to do or what they witnessed. However, for me, it was because I had come very close to being wounded or killed on so many times and never actually processed it. I didn’t even think about it and even now I look at it as part of the job. The moment they said those words ‘we are going to diagnose you with PTSD' it was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders being able to understand why I had been feeling the way I had. They also gave prescriptions for medication with proven success in helping those with PTSD and a treatment plan. I left that building and almost felt like a different person. It is safe to say that without Combat Stress, the future could have been very different.”
It has been many years since I needed any support for his own mental health, but he is still extremely grateful for the help he received. If you would like to support my journey you can do by donating
here.
Race to The Stones 100km
In July 2024 I will be taking on probably my hardest running challenge to date.Support my challenge
This year I will be taking on Race to the Stones to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.
Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.
I’m taking on vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.
Thank you so much for your support.
My Achievements

Uploaded profile pic

Shared page

Self donated

Raised £250

Raised £500

Raised £750

Reached Fundraising Goal

Created a Team

Completed my challenge
Thank you to my Sponsors

£100
Auntie Ii

£74.20
John Ithier

£53
Jo Rumble
Well done Bro! Super proud

£51
Ian Cornelius
Amazing achievement Danny - congratulations!

£51
Leanne Mackie
Mind blown!!! Absolutely amazing Danny WELL DONE!!!

£51
Jenny Davie
Good luck with a brilliant challenge for a great cause!! I’m sure all the training will pay off and you’ll smash it!

£50
Lily & Henry
You can do it!

£40.28
Nick Laws
AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING IS WHAT YOU ARE DANNY. There's nothing you can't do, but 60 miles in one day, that definitely deserves a pint after work (and possibly a Zimmer frame depending on how the run goes ;-)

£40.28
Jim Mockford
A worthy cause my friend, I know you’ll smash it!

£37.10
Mum & Dad
We're sure you'll smash it xxx

£31.80
Char
You’ve got this ❤️ Well done Danny 😘

£31
Ed Dix Perkin
Good luck for the Race to the Stones and such an excellent cause. Well done!

£29.02
Mark Jeffrey
Good luck Danny 👊🏻

£28.62
Helen M
A great purpose to run for and what an achievement its going to be ..

£28.62
Alison Slade

£28.62
Paulyne Rhoden
Good luck Danny! Wishing you all the best on your challenge, it’s such a worthy cause and I’m sure you will smash it - run Forest run😊 .

£28.21
Allen Anthony
Nicely done!

£27
Victoria Bell
Go smash it!

£25
Claire & Fi
Best of luck Danny - go smash it! From Claire & Fi

£25
Peter Houlihan
Brilliant effort with all the training and getting it done!

£23.32
David Knight
Good luck. David

£21.20
Johno
Well done Danny top effort that

£21.20
Matthew Dean
Proud of you Welldone! 🫡….. enjoy your holiday ⛱️🌊☀️ have a nice rest.

£21.20
Regans
Well done Danny. Great cause!! Love Diane Patrick and Caleb.

£20.90
Heather Lockwood
Good luck, an amazing challenge for an amazing charity

£20.90
Suzy Cooper
Well done Danny, you’ve got this. What a worthy cause. Keep going. Suz x

£20
Paul Kean
Good luck, Danny!

£20
Maddie Turner
Good luck Danny! 🏃🏻♀️

£16
Stuart Morton
Well done Danny 👏🎉

£15.90
Jack And Jen

£15.67
Frank Burton
Well done mate! Very proud of you :)

£15
Juliette Welch
Best of luck

£10.60
Steve Bryan
Good luck!

£10.60
Anonymous

£10.60
Anonymous

£10.60
Adam Bright

£10.60
Andrew

£10.60
Becky Cossar
Best of luck to you Danny, you've got this.

£10.60
Susan Hilling

£10.60
Katie Blowes
Well done Dan!

£10.60
Steve Trump
What an achievement Danny!

£10.60
Charlotte Priestley
Good luck Danny! What an incredible challenge!

£10.60
Alex Holley
Great effort Danny!

£10.60
Paula G
Good luck Danny!

£10.60
Ian White

£10.60
Shanna Robson
Well done Danny! Shanna, Adam, Fin & Theo

£10.60
Gemma Brereton
Good luck Danny. Enjoy the holiday after you finish!

£10.60
Mia Di Paola
Good luck Danny!!

£10
Char Barnard
You’re going to absolutely smash it!! Enjoy your training and the event! Very inspiring

£5.45
Elaine Day
God's Speed!

£5
Emily
Good luck Danny!!