Weight 'symbolises soldiers' mental health battle'

An Army veteran has completed a 20-mile (32kms) charity walk while carrying a 6.5lbs (3kg) kettle bell to symbolise the burden of mental health challenges faced by many ex-soldiers.

John Martin walked from Whitby, in North Yorkshire, to Saltburn, on Teesside, raising more than £5,300 for the Head Up charity, which provides support for the armed forces community.

The walk was also in memory of Mr Martin's best man, Sean Tansey, who died in Afghanistan 18 years ago when he was crushed by a vehicle.

Mr Martin, who was joined by five other veterans, said their legs were tired at the end of the challenge and they were eager to "get in the pub and sit down".

Mr Tansey would have been 45 on the day of the event, on 28 December.

Mr Martin initially planned to complete a 45-mile (70kms) walk with a 45lbs (20kgs) weight, but was forced to scale back the effort due to a knee injury.

"We wanted to get a nice, scenic picture when we set off [at 07:30 GMT]. However, there was a bit of mist," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"The walk started off nicely then as we came out of Staithes our legs were starting to get a bit tired.

"Coming past Boulby, the wind began to pick up and I was fighting with the flag I was carrying for the charity along with the kettle bell.

"Towards the latter end, especially coming up Saltburn Bank, we were all starting to struggle and wanted to get into the pub and sit down."

Mr Martin, of Saltburn, founded the East Cleveland Veterans and Services Group in 2023 in an effort to boost support networks for former soldiers.

He is now aiming to launch an app in the coming weeks to complement NHS services by providing help for veterans "in crisis" within 24 hours.

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