One Last Ride

At 80, Former Royal Marine Takes On Loch Ness for PTSD Resolution

Jonathan Thomson has pedalled through the Scottish Highlands in the depths of winter, conquered the peaks of the French Pyrenees - and navigated the wind-battered roads of Orkney and Shetland. He has raised more than £170,000 for Veterans in desperate need of mental health support. On Sunday 26th April, former Royal Marine Jonathan Thomson, aged 80, will clip into his pedals one last time - for a 106-kilometre cycle around one of Scotland's most iconic stretches of water.

The Etape Loch Ness is Scotland's largest closed-road cycling sportive, drawing thousands of riders from across the world to the shores of Loch Ness each spring. This year, up to 6,000 cyclists from as many as 22 countries will set off from Inverness, following a sweeping 360-degree route around the loch - a route that offers breathtaking scenery along with a punishing 4,000 feet of ascent.

For Jonathan, gruelling challenges are nothing new - but this one is different. "This will be my last fundraising event," he says. "It promises to be challenging… I shall, as always, be cycling in support of PTSD Resolution."

Final Preparation: A Dilemma

Jonathan plans to travel north on the Caledonian Sleeper, two days prior to the event. Chief among his concerns in these final training days: which bike to take. "It's a classic dilemma," he says. "One, made of unfashionable steel, is comfortable and has lots of low gears which would help me tackle the rumoured 12% climb, and I like using it.

"The other, a carbon fibre machine that I've ridden far and wide on other sorties, is twitchy and less comfortable but may be faster over the 106 kilometres of the route. Despite lots of advice, I have yet to make a decision."

A Decade of Dedication

Jonathan's journey to this final challenge has been long and remarkable. Since taking on his first long-distance fundraiser during the pandemic - a solo ride of the legendary North Coast 500 - he has progressively raised the bar, assembling a devoted team of fellow cyclists and tackling ever more ambitious routes.

In 2024, he completed what he then called his "fifth and final" cycling challenge for PTSD Resolution: 'Pyrenees 24' - a gruelling 700 kilometres with an elevation gain of 35,832 feet, equivalent to cycling from London to Edinburgh and 1.23 times the height of Mount Everest from sea level.

The following year, he was back - leading a team on the Rebellion Way, a 372-kilometre, four-day unsupported route through Norfolk. That effort alone raised more than £16,000, surpassing a target of £5,000.

In total, Jonathan's efforts have funded therapy for more than 186 Veterans and their families. He was a deserving finalist for the Inspiration Award at the 2024 Soldiering On Awards.

Why Jonathan Keeps Pedalling

Why does he keep going? "Because too many of our Veterans of all ages, and some men and women still serving, suffer the evil effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"This wrecks their lives and deeply affects those of their families and close friends. It is also a major cause of suicide. PTSD Resolution provides well-developed and well-proven treatment for this condition - which is why we continue to cycle on their behalf."

The Charity Behind Every Mile

PTSD Resolution, founded in 2009, provides free, prompt and effective therapy to UK Veterans, Reservists and family members - with no waiting list, no referral required - via a nationwide network of 200 accredited therapists. Uniquely, the charity also supports Veterans in prison and those struggling with addiction, as well as partners and children affected by living with trauma. With almost 5,000 referrals to date and an 82% treatment completion rate - far exceeding the NHS equivalent - every £910 donated funds a full course of therapy for one person.

Will You Be Part of It?

Jonathan Thomson will set off from Inverness on Sunday 26th April, hoping that each turn of the pedal will nudge his fundraising total a little higher. He'll have 6,000 fellow riders for company, the Highland hills for scenery - and decades of determined service behind him.

If you'd like to be part of his final chapter, you can support Jonathan's ride for PTSD Resolution here: www.givewheel.com/fundraising/14851/etape-loch-ness/

Every contribution, however modest, funds real treatment for real people whose need is urgent. One last ride. Let's make it count.