Jonathan Thomson & Team Poised to Take on Wales for PTSD Resolution

This Wednesday June 15th will see charity Ambassador Jonathan Thomson set off from Swansea on a 7 day, 700km fundraising bike ride around Wales.

After cycling the north coast of Scotland in 2020, followed by the Pyrenees in 2021 - all to raise much need funds for UK Veterans mental health charity PTSD Resolution - Jonathan was keen to get back in the saddle. This time the 77-year-old former Royal Marine will be joined by an intrepid team: 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:

“Why do we support PTSD Resolution? Put simply, 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.”

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.

The months of training have been tough - but Jonathan is determined to turn this latest dream into a reality. The bikes have been fettled, the kit has been streamlined within an inch of its life - and the fundraising total just tipped over £11,000.

- All ‘Cycle Wales ’ expedition costs have been and will continue to be met privately - so all funds raised will go direct to PTSD Resolution.

“As we stand at the moment ,” says Jonathan, “our little team of four will start our round-Wales 749km cycle ride on the 15th June as planned. Standing between us and Wales are: a possible rail strike, training injuries and or physical/mental illness. But we are optimistic!”

“Below is a picture of my bike, ready to go. It ’s very rideable and if you add sufficient fuel to the pilot it should keep shuffling along!”

The gruelling route is outlined below. The team will start in Swansea, go west to Carmarthen, then to Fishguard (on the CR5), north to Barmouth – across to Chirk (at the end of the CR2), south to Abergavenny, west to Sennybridge and south back to Swansea.

In total: 749km and 34,000ft of climb.

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.”

'CYCLE WALES' - 15th-22nd June 2022

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 Tuesday 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.

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.”

You can help Jonathan help UK Veterans, Reservists & families - by donating here:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jonathan-thomson6

“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.”