Southsea veteran is walking to Scotland to raise awareness of PTSD

VETERAN Alan Sadler is walking nearly 500 miles to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Alan Sadler at Stoney Cove in LeicestershireAlan Sadler at Stoney Cove in Leicestershire
Alan Sadler at Stoney Cove in Leicestershire

The 58-year-old is 20 days into his challenge after setting off from Portsmouth last month.

He has a further 28 days to do before getting to his final destination of Edinburgh.

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Alan, who fought in the Falklands War and did two tours of Northern Ireland, is raising money for the Royal British Legion but also wants to raise awareness for PTSD – a condition he suffers from.

Alan SadlerAlan Sadler
Alan Sadler

He said: ‘I suffer from really bad depression at the moment and I needed something to focus on.

‘Some of my friends have PTSD and it is a condition I want to raise awareness of.

‘One morning, I just decided that I wanted to do a challenge.

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‘My original finish was at Glasgow but the Royal British Legion wanted me to finish at their site in Edinburgh.’

Alan SadlerAlan Sadler
Alan Sadler

Alan, from Southsea, is carrying all his camping equipment and is spending his nights outside, under the stars. He is covering around 10 to 15 miles a day and has just reached Derbyshire.

His route is along pathways and country lanes.

He added: ‘I wanted to see what our country has to offer.

‘I am sticking to pathways and some main roads but mostly, I wanted to see the countryside. I am going up the middle of the country and want to see as much of it as I can.

‘I do not have a time limit so I can take as long as I want.’

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This is the first time Alan has ever attempted a challenge like this and said it was not as bad as he expected.

‘I have only had one bad day so far,’ he said.

‘I got some blisters and they were quite painful but they have been sorted now.

‘It has been an amazing trip so far and lots of people have been very friendly.

‘Walking through the South Downs was incredible and I have come across some villages which are out of this world.’

Alan has already raised £800 for the Royal British Legion and is hoping to add to that total.

To make a donation, visit his Just Giving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/Alan-Sadler1.