After cycling the north coast of Scotland in 2020, followed by the Pyrenees in 2021, this year 77-year-old former Royal Marine Jonathan Thomson is taking on Wales!

 In June, Jonathan will set off from Swansea on a gruelling seven day, 700km bike ride - all to raise much-needed funds for UK Veterans ’ mental health charity, PTSD Resolution.

Jonathan & Jez at Hendaye after 'Raid ’21’

Joining Jonathan on ‘Cycle Wales ’ is; Jim, a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot; Neil, a former Royal Engineer; and Jez, a fellow former Royal Marine. The team will be riding entirely unsupported - carrying all gear and meagre stores on their bikes - a nod to the lack of support faced by Veterans:

“Put simply, too many of our Veterans suffer the evil effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD,” Jonathan says. “This wrecks their lives and deeply affects those of their families and close friends. It is also a major cause of suicide.”

Founded in 2009, PTSD Resolution provides therapy for Forces ’ Veterans, Reservists and their families. Therapy is free, effective and delivered both promptly and locally through a UK-wide network of 200 therapists - with treatment also available online or by phone.

The charity is a ‘lean ’ operation with no salaried staff or assets, yet has had well over 3,000 referrals to date. Therapy is delivered over an average of six sessions, with 78% of cases seeing an improvement in reported symptoms.

Jonathan training in 2020 during lockdown

Back in 2020 Jonathan found himself training for his ‘North Coast 500 ’ cycle during lockdown. He developed an ingenious six-days-a-week routine involving a road bike, a turbo bike in the garden and a Wattbike ATOM in the hall. This time the team have been free to train - albeit through the “dog-days of winter” - but streamlining their kit for an unsupported ride has been a challenge.

A detailed schedule has been devised (see below) and the all-important B&Bs have been  arranged. The foursome have committed to a daily departure time of 8.30am - “Life on wheels is all about routine,” says Jonathan, “especially as the days go by and the body becomes more reluctant to do very much.”

All expedition costs will be met privately so all funds raised will go direct to PTSD Resolution.

'CYCLE WALES' - 14th-22nd June 2022
Wednesday 14th June: Swansea
Thursday 15th June: Swansea - Hermon (via Carmarthen)
Friday 16th June: Hermon - New Quay (via Fishguard)
Saturday 17th June: New Quay - Barmouth
Sunday 18th June: Barmouth - Chirk
Monday 19th June: Chirk - Knighton
Tuesday 20th June: Knighton - Llangenny
Wednesday 21st June: Llangenny - Swansea (via Sennybridge)
Thursday 22nd June: Swansea

The team will spend Wednesday 14th June in Swansea before tackling their marathon ride the next morning. They are expected to arrive back in Swansea on Wednesday 21st June - although Jonathan has been known to finish his challenges ahead of schedule.

‘Cycle Wales 2022 ’ - The gruelling 7-day, 700km route

A great many supporters have seen Jonathan raise an incredible £50,000 over his last two ventures - and he has no intention of stopping any time soon: “If things go well this year we will cycle the Shetlands in ’ 23, Ireland in ’ 24 and Western Australia (the Munda Biddi Trail) in ’ 25. I shall be 80 then, so I ’m not counting too many chickens!”

PTSD Resolution Chairman and CEO, Colonel Tony Gauvain (Retired), wishes Jonathan and the team well on their epic adventure:

"Jonathan’s fundraising journey to date has guaranteed the mental health recovery of 66 Veterans, some of whom were suicidal, others were drink or drug dependant, and others had not slept properly for years. Over the past 11 years we have helped over 3300 veterans or family members to recover their mental health, and continue to receive an average of 8 new referrals a week. So, our huge thanks go to Jonathan and his team for their valiant efforts; and our message goes to all potential donors to dig deep and cough up, to encourage Jonathan and his team to keep pedalling."

Jonathan’s fundraising journey to date has guaranteed the mental health recovery of 66 Veterans, some of whom were suicidal, others were drink or drug dependant, and others had not slept properly for years.  Over the past 11 years we have helped over 3300 veterans or family members to recover their mental health, and continue to receive an average of 8 new referrals a week.   So, our huge thanks go to Jonathan and his team for their valiant efforts; and our message goes to all potential donors to dig deep and cough up, to encourage Jonathan and his team to keep pedalling.


Jonathan Thomson in action

“Please help me support PTSD Resolution, and thereby help many men and women who continue to suffer from this condition,” says Jonathan.

“All funds raised are used to support their therapy and outreach programme. As a rule of thumb, one course of six sessions, which can be life-changing, costs in the region of £750. PTSD Resolution is a remarkable organisation that deserves our support.”

You can help Jonathan help UK Veterans, Reservists & families - by donating here:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jonathan-thomson6

- If you are interested in corporate sponsorship opportunities - as Jonathan ’s tours attract a great deal of media attention - please contact PTSD Resolution direct at contact@ptsdresolution.org