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British Army veteran completes test of endurance from Inverness despite suffering a broken rib





Darren Hardy.
Darren Hardy.

A former soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder has completed a test of endurance from Inverness to Wiltshire – despite breaking a rib when Storm Ellen struck.

Retired soldier Darren Hardy embarked on the extreme multi-sports challenge – including 112km of Caledonian Canal in three days by paddle board – to raise cash for the Help for Heroes charity he feels indebted to.

But after he got on his bike for the second leg – 779km from Fort William to Badbury hamlet in Wiltshire – calamity struck.

Amid heavy rain and gales he clipped a curb and fell off the bike, but carried on valiantly until pain overcame him with 128km to go.

After several hours in a Stafford hospital, he was able to run the final marathon distance leg on Monday and returned to do the missing bicycle miles on Tuesday. Friends and family gave Mr Hardy an emotional welcome back at Help for Heroes’ Tedworth House base in Wiltshire.

The 34-year-old reflected: “It was tough and eventful, but I’m thrilled to complete another really challenging adventure for a charity dear to me.”

Mr Hardy spent 15 years in the British Army from 2003 to 2017, serving in Northern Ireland and Iraq among multiple exercises overseas. As well as diagnosis with PTSD, he suffered a badfly injured shoulder.

Sport and training have become a big part of his life in recovery after medical discharge and Mr Hardy believes pushing himself to the limit physically and mentally have helped manage his PTSD.

The athlete from Fleet in Hampshire said: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Help for Heroes’ hidden wounds team. I want to inspire and change the lives of others less capable.”

Married and with two daughters, Mr Hardy has also become a speaker helping others with mental health issues.

He added: “My injuries impact my life every day. I have now created a bulletproof mindset where I seize the day through extreme physical training.

“It helps my mental wellbeing, so I want to motivate others to do the same.”

David Martin, head of supporter fundraising at Help for Heroes, said: “We’re so grateful for what Darren is doing for us.”

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