A FUNDRAISER is testing his endurance to raise essential cash for the Veterans at Ease charity.

Jason Watkin, from Stockton, has already battled eight intensive challenges in the last eight months for the charity but has four more planned for this year.

The delivery manager for Landmarc Support Services, kicked off his ‘12 in 12’ challenges with a 24-hour trek of Roseberry Topping in spring last year, followed by a 40-mile traverse of the North Yorkshire Moors from Osmotherley to the coast in under 20 hours.

Subsequent 2018 challenges included the Lake District Total Warrior ten-mile obstacle race, the Hardmoors 26.2 Osmotherley Trail Half Marathon, and a Boxing Day dip in the freezing North Sea.

And over the coming months, he will be undertaking an additional four challenges, leading up to The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge this spring.

He said: “Recent estimates show that as many as 90,000 people could be affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the North East alone and the instances of veteran suicide in the UK is increasing, with over 70 known suicides in 2018.

“Veterans at Ease is a charity close to my heart, and I feel that the least I can do is work hard and battle the elements to undertake these challenges in order to raise funds for the cause.”

Established in 2010, the charity has helped more 250 veterans, reservists, serving military personnel and families suffering from mental health and PTSD, through a process called neuro-linguistic programming.

Having experienced first-hand the life-changing work Veterans at Ease undertake, he has already raised £5,000 for the charity.

He became involved through his employer which delivers support services across the nationwide Defence Training Estate.

For more information visit www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jasonwatkin2?page=3