Why am I running Race to Remember?
Why am I running the race to remember? For combat stress, 47 miles, starting in Aldershot and finishing at HMS warrior in Portsmouth.
I don't normally post things like this as I got disillusioned by the the sheer volume of posts I see on all the socials asking for sponsorship for a worthy cause for an event they are doing. Whilst I wouldn't denigrate any of the very worthwhile and charitable causes people like to raise money for, I never felt the need to advertise myself or raise awareness of me doing an event, until now.
After completing a full milliary career of 26 years in the REME , I left and took the next step on the career ladder and moved across into the corporate world in a project engineering management role. It seemed to be the logical step, plenty of other service leavers did the same, so therefore ot must be the right step for me.
From the outside looking in at me, it looked like I had it all, a successful career in the army, a new career in the corporate world with a great salary and all the perks it entailed, monthly pension, house etc.. life ia perfect 👌 correct?
Apparently not, after a couple of years in the role, I started to have trouble sleeping, got stressed easily, irritated at things that shouldn't have bothered me. I became snappy with my partner. The relationship suffered and started to breakdown, which rhen compounded all the other issues further. My work started to suffer, performance dropped off, anxiety and panic attacks became more frequent and things started to nosedive, my mental health was taking a battering and I found myaelf unable to cope I was dreading getting up for work ona daily basis, I was constantly heightened but tired. The relationship collapsed entirely and I hit rock bottom.
I felt that I had nothing left to live for and attempted to take my own life.
Luckily for me I failed, the only time in my life ive been glad to not succeed at something!
A friend had noticed i wasnt myself and contacted combat stress on my behalf, they contacted me very soon after and we got the ball rolling on my road to recovery. There were a lot of tears, emotions, everything.
I was diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety. Id never thought I would ever be affected by things like that, even though I had seen firsthand, close friends go through it themselves, I always thought, nah, not me. I'm okay. Ill be alright, just got to get on with things.
And I did, until my bucket filled up and I couldn't hold any more.
When combat stress got me in touch with a counsellor who was a specialist in cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT l, I was able to start to unpick all the deep rooted issues that had been building up over years and subconsciously affecting my thoughts, behaviours, decisions, self esteem, self worth, the lot.
Once i'd opened the floodgates, it all came pouring out, with the help of my counsellor and specific techniques, I was able to process and understand things much better and deal with them in a way that worked for me.
Without combat stress enabling me to get the help I needed but was too scared to ask for because I didnt understand what was wrong with me , I most likely wouldn't be here writing this blog today.
So, what is the ask from all of this? If you are able to donate any amount of money , no matter how big or how small, it will go towards helping other veterans and serving personnel get the help they need for PTSD, stress, anxiety etc.
On 7th November 2026, I will be running the 47 miles from Aldershot to Portsmouth, to raise funds for combat stress.
This charity is very close to my heart due to my own personal experiences with using them in the past.
Thankyou for reading
Mike
Support my Race to Remember
This year I will be taking part in Race to Remember 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 Race to Remember to help take vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.
Thank you so much for your support.
My Achievements
Created a Team
Uploaded Profile Pic
Shared fundraising page
Raised £250
Raised £500
Raised £750
Raised £1000
Completed my Race to Remember
Reached Fundraising Goal
Thank you to my Sponsors
£61.93
Chris Mcgowan
£45.10
Matthew
£33.83
Ickle Sis
Happy to donate to such a worthy cause, appreciate the journey you’ve been on, and glad that you are back on a better path now xxx
£33.83
Priscilla Wozniak
Micheal Thanks for sharing your story, I can totally empathise and it resonates so deeply with my own family, having served in the military ourselves - my family took part in fundraisers for combat stress too 🙏 Leaving the military after living your whole life in service of Queen and country is a monumental life changing transition with deep far reaching effects. I’m so glad you found combat stress charity, I’m so proud of you for having the courage to share your story! Wishing you all the best with your event! Spurring you on from the opposite side of the globe.. ⭐️Per ardua ad astra ⭐️
£30
Tanja Jelley
£30
Mike Jopson
£28.44
Dougal Oliver
£27.76
Louise Austin
£27.76
Anonymous
£24
Mr Jonathan P Melvin
£24
Rob Emery
Good luck with everything mate, next time you are up in the Midlands we should catch up.
£20
Rhian Evans
£20
Deco
Good luck Mike!
£20
James Hinwood
£17.89
John Hughes
£15
Joseph Richter
£12.25
Miss Olivia-jade Jopson
£12.25
Christopher Osborn
£12.25
Kate Tibbitts
£12.25
Rachael Alexander
Go smash it Mike!!! You absolute machine
£12.25
Lizzie Johnstone
Brilliant charity! Enjoy the event xx
£12.25
Archie
£12.25
Mr B N Willis
Run run as fast as you can you can’t catch me I’m the hench arm man.
£10
Sioned
😘
£10
