Sign up for the first 'Heroes Hike' in Dartmoor
A former British Army Major who has battled with depression and PTSD is hoping to encourage others to join him on a 25km trek across Dartmoor.
The Heroes Hike is being held across Dartmoor National Park for the first time to raise money for veterans’ charity Help for Heroes. Rob Shenton, aged 52, has signed up for the trek beginning and ending in the market town of Okehampton, taking place on Saturday, September 14, which is expected to take between seven and nine hours to complete.
Rob said: “I’ve signed up to take part in the hike, because I know what a difference the charity makes. So many veterans are suffering in silence and I’m hoping people will join me on the trek through an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to show their support. I’d encourage anyone who likes hiking, or just fancies a new challenge, to go to the website to find out more, it’s for a really good cause.”
Help for Heroes provides recovery and support for the Armed Forces community whose lives are affected by their service, no matter when or where they served and across Devon, more than 30,000 people have served in the military.
The mental and physical health benefits of exercise have been crucial in helping Rob. Following in his father’s footsteps, Rob fulfilled his boyhood dream when he joined the Army in 1995 and went to Sandhurst the following year.
After serving tours in Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, Rob was medically discharged with depression and PTSD IN 2016.
I came back from an operational tour, at the end of that tour somebody that I had worked with had been killed. I went into a different job in the military, in a very different environment.
“I wasn’t giving myself time to reflect, look after myself and recover. My attitude was to plough on. I stopped looking after myself, stopped eating the right food, stopped exercising. My sleep suffered. My health declined and I got into a downward spiral.”
After Rob came close to ending his life, he spent some time in hospital. Since leaving the military, Rob has had support from Help for Heroes.
“I never thought I would have to turn to a charity for support. But I am so glad they were there. I did one of their courses and it gave me a peace of mind when my mind was busy, broken and exhausted. Help for Heroes was there for me in the bad times and the good times, such as singing together in the choir and competing with other veterans on the athletics tracks.
“Their Hidden Wounds mental health service provided a vital stop gap while I was waiting for NHS support. I was fairly lost early on in my veteran experience. Help for Heroes took me in with a few other veterans and we became good friends. That was invaluable.
“I do a lot of athletics now encouraged by Help for Heroes. I strongly believe there is a massive connection between physical fitness and mental fitness.”
The Heroes Hike route will pass through a variety of stunning landscapes such as Hound Tor, with an abundance of hills, fords, woodland and river. Everyone who takes part will receive a free headband on arrival, tea/coffee and snacks, as well as a kit list and training plan.
The fundraising challenge on Saturday, September 14, is open to anyone aged over 10. There is a £40 registration fee per person and an individual fundraising target of £200 each. Currently those interested in signing up can do so for half price by using the limited-time discount code ‘DARTMOOR50’ at checkout.
For information on how to sign up visit: Heroes Hikes: Dartmoor | Help For Heroes
