VETERANS from Crediton and local villages are raising vital funds by Challenging themselves to walk 10 sponsored miles to help veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress provide lifesaving mental health treatment across the UK.

Veterans being in the higher echelon of life will be challenging themselves to raise funds by getting Sponsorship to walk 10 miles from the Crediton Tesco store at Joseph Locke Way to the Duck Pub at Yeoford and then returning to The Town Square.

They will have collection buckets and card readers so people can make donations to help veterans that are suffering trauma from Combat Stress that are out on our streets suffering and not knowing if they can make it through another day.

Posters will be placed in various locations to explain how people can make donations.

Those taking part will be located at Crediton Tesco on Joseph Locke Way from 10am on Monday, March 2 and invite people to chat to them. The walk will take place on March 22.

They explained that there are Veterans with Mental Health problems on the streets of Crediton who will not let you know they are suffering, adding that they are immensely proud and brave people.

Crediton Veterans said: “We wanted to get involved because some of us have experienced forms of Stress after leaving the services and we know Combat Stress is a VERY real problem, and any small contribution helps these proud and brave people; they are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.

“The money raised will enable Combat Stress to continue delivering its specialist treatment to former service members and women with military-related complex mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Without the charity's help, veterans' lives can become desperate. Anxiety, anger, depression, isolation, alcohol, and drug misuse and in cases suicide, suicide can tear families apart and devastate lives. With the generous support of fantastic fundraisers like Crediton Veterans, Combat Stress can help veterans tackle their past and take on the future.”

Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: "We are extremely grateful to Crediton Veterans for their incredible support and commitment to raising vital funds.

"Last year almost 14,000 veterans benefited from our help, with demand for our services remaining constant. Every donation we receive helps us to meet the needs of veterans who turn to us for support. Our specialist treatment doesn't just change lives; it saves them too."

To find out how you can support Combat Stress, visit: combatstress.org.uk