http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/local/soldiers_charity_feat_to_support_comrades_1_3156667
TWO former soldiers and their friend have taken on an extreme charity feat in aid of a cause close to their hearts. Ex-servicemen Stewart Campbell and Steve Kenneford and their colleague Alan Milenkovic, from Corby, took on the challenge of climbing Snowdon as many times as they could in 24 hours.
They decided to take part to raise funds and awareness for charity Talking2Minds, which helps people, including members of the Armed Forces, suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. The team battled the weather conditions to conquer the highest mountain in Wales three times last Saturday in aid of the cause and have so far raised £500.
Mr Campbell, who served with the Royal Signals in Northern Ireland and in the Falklands after the conflict ended, showed symptoms of the condition after he left the Army in 1991. Mr Campbell, 45, who lives on the Oakley Vale estate, said: “At times visibility was down to zero and there was driving rain. We were all soaking wet from the first climb. “You could only spend 30 seconds on the summit because of the wind chill factor and the weather was horrific.”
Despite the difficult conditions, Mr Campbell said the group would do it again for the charity and are considering another physical challenge. He added: “It’s a really good cause. I suffered from it in the 1990s and there was no help then. Talking2Minds have such a success rate to get people back to normal life and into work.
“The important thing is Talking2Minds does not just help the Armed Forces, they help paramedics, the police and firemen. “They will assess anyone showing the symptoms of that and don’t discriminate, even if you are self-medicating through alcohol or drugs.
“Normally by the time you are getting to the later stages you are starting to self-medicate.”
To contribute to the fund visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/corbytalking2minds.