By Veterans complete Humber Bridge charity crawl challenge
Two Army veterans have completed a charity challenge which involved crawling over the Humber Bridge.
David Neaves and Joe Hall, both suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.
They completed the 4,659ft challenge in just three hours and have raised more than £2,700 for others with the condition.
The challenge involved using the military technique of leopard crawling.
Mr Neaves, originally from Grimsby, said:
“It’s quite emotional, I’m thinking of all the people who are no longer with us, I was thinking about them while I was crawling across.
“Hopefully we’ll have raised enough money to save two or three lives so it’s all worth it.”
Mr Hall, who is from Hull added:
“It’s physical pain going across the bridge, but it’s nothing compared to the mental pain that veterans are going through.
“When you know it’s done it’s exhilarating, but I don’t ever want to see the bridge again.”
The government said £2.3bn was being invested into mental health services, but Mr Neaves has called for more support for veterans’ mental health.
After leaving the military, Mr Neaves says he lost several veteran several friends to suicide.
He also attempted to take his own life two years ago.
A Government spokesperson said:
“It’s important our veterans know that the NHS is here to provide expert, bespoke support for anyone struggling with their mental health.
“We’re investing £2.3bn of extra money into mental health services and our Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service also provides bespoke support for veterans.”
