A veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan has completed an epic 420-mile walk from Chester to London and back again to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
Jason left Chester on December 11 and arrived back in the city today, December 22, after walking roughly 57kms every day. He said the charity saved him from sleeping on the streets.
Jason Paul, 38, from Deeside, served with 1 Mercian for ten years before a roadside bomb ended his military career.
As well as raising money for the RBL, Jason wants to support other veterans who might be struggling: “Pride is the enemy in these situations,” he said. “You might think it’s not manly to ask for help, but it’s even less manly to sit and struggle and not be able to keep yourself warm at night.
“The amount of Mercians who have taken their own lives since I came out of the Army is well into double figures, and I’ve been to far too many funerals. I just wish they could have reached out for help.”
He added, "This walk has been a gruelling but life-changing experience, and I've met some wonderful people along the way. I smashed through my original fundraising target, but I'd love to reach £10,000. There is still time to make a donation, and all the money goes direct to the Royal British Legion, the charity which saved my life.
I hope I’ve been able to give something back
“By doing this epic challenge I really hope I've been able to give something back. For now, I'm planning to have a long rest and a brilliant Christmas!"
Jason had to leave the Army after he was medically discharged, and with no sense of purpose, his life spiralled after service.
Jason, who now lives in Buckley, North Wales, said, “An Improvised Explosive Device had been dug into the roadside and as soon as I went past, it partially detonated about six feet to my left. I was left completely deafened in one ear, and that stopped me being a soldier."
Life began to unravel
“At first, my transition into civilian life was pretty smooth, I got a decent job in security in 2012, and everything seemed OK. But two years later I started to struggle, and life began to unravel. I was pushing away the very people who were trying to help me."
“I started hanging out with the wrong crowd, had issues with drink and drugs, and cocaine became a massive problem for me.”
During his time in London, Jason, a father of two, lost his job: “I had been employed as live-in security, so not only had I lost my income, but I no longer had anywhere to live,” said Jason. “So, I called the Royal British Legion, and they put a roof over my head and made sure I had money for food, until I managed to sort myself out a few weeks later. They were brilliant with me, and I will always be grateful, because I would’ve been on the streets without their support.”
Six months ago, Jason began training in earnest and now admits to being obsessed with fitness and walking. He said, “I’ve swapped one addiction for another, but this is much healthier!”
“For some in the Armed Forces community, issues from service can affect them later in life, often with swift and devastating consequences. There are many reasons that can cause a veteran’s life to fall apart but issues related to service and complex mental health conditions can lead to a downward spiral that is hard to get out of without help. “When something goes wrong, the RBL is there, without judgement, to help rebuild lives. This is a wonderful gesture from Jason, and we are so grateful that he is raising vital funds for the Royal British Legion to support our Armed Forces community.”
Alexandra Taylor, Regional Poppy Appeal Manager at the Royal British Legion