Veteran's 420-Mile Walk Highlights Military Suicide and Drug Concerns

A former British Army officer, aged 70, is undertaking a 420-mile walk to draw attention to the sensitive issue of military and veteran suicides. The journey will commence near Edinburgh, in West Linton, and conclude at the Cenotaph in central London, where he plans to lay a poppy.

Having served in the military for 35 years, the officer believes that the families of service members are often left without adequate support. He aims to raise awareness and advocate for increased recognition and assistance for these families. He has expressed feeling a sense of isolation, similar to someone in a First World War trench, hearing the distress from those in need.

The fundraising effort will benefit the National Memorial Arboretum. The retired lieutenant colonel hopes his efforts will contribute to the establishment of a memorial at the site in Staffordshire, dedicated to personnel and veterans who have died by suicide.

In addition to raising awareness about suicide, the walk is also part of a long-standing campaign against the use of the anti-malaria drug Lariam, also known as mefloquine, for British troops. The drug has been linked to various side effects, including anxiety, hallucinations, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The officer himself reported experiencing some of these effects after taking the medication during a deployment. The Ministry of Defence recently reached a settlement with veterans who reported side effects from Lariam. The MoD introduced a new policy on prescribing anti-malarial drugs in 2016.

An MoD spokesperson emphasized the importance of the health and welfare of personnel, including protection against malaria. The UK Health Security Agency recommends mefloquine as an effective preventative measure. The officer, who resides in North Yorkshire, plans to walk approximately 20 miles each day during the fundraiser, with the goal of reaching the finish line on September 19. He has already raised a significant amount of money.