A Welsh Guards veteran has completed a 30-mile walk to raise money for causes that support veterans, as well as raise awareness of the struggles often endured by ex-members of the armed forces.
Greg Hayward set off on his challenge trek from the cenotaph in Ponterdawe at around 8am on Tuesday, May 11, and reached the Brecon Memorial Peace Garden later than evening at 7pm.
The money raised from donations will go towards Veteran’s Essentials and Veterans United Against Suicide.
Veteran’s Essentials in a community interest company established in 2019 by Greg and his wife Sue. Through the company, they are able support veterans who are financially struggling with food, toiletries and cleaning products.
Support for veterans is a cause that the couple are extremely passionate about, as Greg explains:
“When I got laid off from my job, we were really struggling financially so we were getting food parcels.
“After we got settled and the food parcels stopped, we realised they were also stopped for all the other veterans. We then decided that we couldn’t stand back and watch the boys struggle - we decided to start up Veteran’s Essentials.”
Veteran’s Essentials currently supports around 30 veterans and is an ever-expanding network.
Greg said: “Many members have said they don’t need the parcels anymore, so then they step away and we are able to take on new members to support.
“We had a family over Christmas that were living on £90 a month. We managed to get all the food they needed for Christmas. Our supporters were incredible and managed to supply brand new toys for the children - and they thanked us for the best Christmas they ever had. It was lovely to see.”
As well as enduring financial difficulties, Greg has also suffered with mental health effects since becoming a veteran.
Greg lives with PTSD and after experiencing an extremely difficult year in 2020, is determined to make a difference to the lives of veterans.
Greg said: “On May 11 last year, my PTSD got the better of me and I hanged myself. I broke my neck and was in an induced coma and on a ventilator for three weeks.”
After three difficult months in hospital, Greg came home at the end of July and accepted help for his PTSD.
Sue said: “He has spent the time recovering, while I, with his help, was still running Veteran’s Essentials.
“As the first anniversary was approaching I suggested he did something to mark his survival and in the process try and raise funds for Veteran’s Essentials as we don’t get any form of grants.”
Greg was waved off from Ponterdawe by the former mayor Andrew Nicholson, who came to show his support.
Taking into account some time for breaks, Greg completed the walk in an impressive nine hours, with the help of three friends and two support vehicles.
He said: “It was a big challenge for me because I don’t walk too far. But I gritted my teeth and just got on with it, as we do.”
Sue added: “We are getting a great response via donations, even receiving a donation from Seattle.
“Everything we collect we are sharing with Veterans United Against Suicide, hopefully to help others see, with the right help there’s hope and always another way through.”
If you would like to find out more information about Veteran’s Essentials and the work they do, including live streams from Greg’s walk, please visit their Facebook page ‘Veteran’s Essentials CIC. 12772031’.
If you would like to support Greg’s fundraiser and aid the crucial work of Veteran’s Essentials and Veteran’s United Against Suicide, you can send a donation via PayPal to [email protected] or find details for bank transfers on their social media pages, using the payment reference ‘challenge walk’.