Dan McNeil is walking the whole of the UK coastline to raise funds for the charity which helped him out in his darkest hour. SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, stepped in to help Dan when his life took a downwards turn. Now he is raising funds for SSAFA so they can continue to help people like himself.
In March 2021, from his hometown, Dalbeattie, in Scotland, Royal Artillery veteran Dan started his epic journey. He is already over halfway around, currently just passing through Kent.
Towards the end of his military career Dan was diagnosed with auto-immune disease and struggled with chronic pain, leading to being discharged from the Army. His life was on a negative spiral and he was contemplating suicide when he asked SSAFA for help.
Dan said:
“I joined the Army when I was sixteen and served in 19 Regiment Royal Artillery. Since returning to civilian life it has been tough for me dealing with chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. In my darkest hour, my SSAFA caseworker turned up at my flat and put £20 on my electric meter and filled my fridge. This simple act of kindness somehow lifted a weight off my shoulders and allowed me to see a way out of my hopelessness. I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done.
“A bit later, lockdown challenged my mental health again, especially not having a job and a routine. One day I sat quietly and meditated for four hours, asking the world what I needed to do. Finally the answer came to me: walk.”
Not long into his challenge Dan met Charlotte Brook, from Dunoon on the western coast of Scotland, who started to walk with him and became his partner. Together they have walked thousands of miles and are delighted to be reaching the iconic white cliffs of Dover.
Dan said:
“People are so kind. We often get invited to stay in people’s houses, which has been a godsend with the weather being so awful recently. It is a real inspiration how kind and generous people are, it keeps us going and reminds me that the world is a good place.”
To support Dan, and veterans like him, you can donate here: justgiving.com/fundraising/danwalksuk
