The Final Lap

There are fundraisers, and then there is Jonathan Thomson. A former Royal Marine, now 81, Jonathan has spent the better part of six years pedalling extraordinary distances in support of PTSD Resolution, the UK charity providing free mental health therapy to Veterans, Reservists and their families. He has crossed Scotland solo, conquered the French Pyrenees and led teams across Wales, Orkney, Shetland and Norfolk. In doing so, he has now raised well over £170,000, enough to fund therapy for almost 200 Veterans and their families.

On Sunday 26th April, on the shores of Loch Ness, Jonathan set off one last time.

North on the Sleeper: The Journey to Inverness

The adventure began with a characteristically understated dispatch. On the evening of Saturday 25th April, he boarded the Caledonian Sleeper at London Euston, bike hanging on a hook in a carriage shared with seven other cyclists and rather more very large bike bags than the space could comfortably accommodate.

"Down in the cheap seats, away from the little cabins, there is a comradely lack of comfort," he wrote, "but sleep creeps in eventually and we snooze. And then dawn breaks and we see the Highlands against a clear blue sky."

After a Full Scottish breakfast and the business of collecting race numbers, Jonathan was ready. Six years of early mornings, sore legs and countless miles had led to this.

06.00: The Loch Awaits

The Etape Loch Ness is Scotland's largest closed-road cycling sportive, a 106-kilometre route that traces a full circle around Loch Ness, starting and finishing in Inverness, with 4,000 feet of ascent along the way. This year, it drew 6,300 riders from 22 countries, making it one of the largest cycling charity events in the UK.

Jonathan was among them at dawn, standing by the River Ness in the early morning chill.

"It was cold at 05.50 down by the river Ness this morning as 6,300 of us, each wheeling a bike and ready to ride the 106km route around the Loch, prepared to start," he reported. "The sun came out, momentarily brightening up the nearby hills, but then went off to have some breakfast, leaving we assembled cyclists none the warmer."

At 06.00, the first wave was released onto the road. Over the following forty minutes, the remaining riders followed in groups, spreading out across the sweeping shore roads. The fastest finished in under three hours. Jonathan, who noted their machines making "a very distinctive noise as they cleaved the air," completed the course in five hours and forty-five minutes. As he put it himself, he had taken "more than enough exercise for one day."

The Aftermath: A King Canute Moment

In the days that followed, Jonathan reflected, with his customary mixture of honesty and good humour, on the effort the ride had demanded.

"King Canute demonstrated he couldn't control the tides and forces of nature," he wrote. "I'm discovering I can't control time. Normally, 106km on a bike in a day is well within my compass, but one week before my 81st I found engaging with 6,000+ other cyclists in a mad and virtually non-stop rush around a route that was sometimes challenging was different, and I've taken longer to recover than I'd thought would be the case. We think we are indestructible but sadly that's not the case."

He signed off with characteristic resolve: "Back on my bike tomorrow."

Six Years, 191 Veterans: A Remarkable Achievement

With the Etape Loch Ness completed, Jonathan has drawn a line under a quite extraordinary fundraising effort. Since his first solo challenge during the pandemic, he has led teams over thousands of kilometres across some of Britain and Europe's most demanding terrain. He was also a finalist for the Inspiration Award at the 2024 Soldiering On Awards, a nomination that spoke for itself.

Few people embody the spirit of what PTSD Resolution stands for quite as fully as Jonathan. As he has said: "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."

Charles Highett, CEO of PTSD Resolution, said: "Jonathan is a quite extraordinary man. Over six years and thousands of miles, he has shown what one person's commitment can achieve. His fundraising has helped nearly 200 Veterans and families access the therapy they need, free of charge, and we are deeply grateful. We hope his story inspires others to support the work that we do."

PTSD Resolution provides free, prompt therapy to Veterans, Reservists and family members through a nationwide network of 200 therapists, with no waiting list and no referral required. The charity achieves an 82% treatment completion rate and a 79% reliable improvement rate across all clients. Every £910 raised funds a complete course of therapy for one person.

Thank You, Jonathan. And One Final Ask.

"And, that's it!" Jonathan wrote after crossing the finish line. "No more events - just pottering!" He has certainly earned it.

But the Veterans and families supported by PTSD Resolution still need our help.

If Jonathan's story has moved you, please consider making a donation in his honour and in support of the men, women and families living in the long shadow of trauma.

You can show your support here:https://gvwhl.com/BOCBV

Thank you.