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On 15 June Dave Edwards is taking on the Race To The King ultra marathon, a 50km (31 miles) trail run through the South Downs. He is supporting his fellow veterans by raising money for Samaritans and Combat Stress.

Dave says “I have raised funds for Military charities for years. Lately they have been mental health organisations such as Icarus and Combat Stress. Both of these organisations helped me enormously when I was in my own dark place and I have always wanted to give something back.”

Dave was invalided out of the Royal Navy after being injured. His son is a Chief Petty Officer in the navy, and currently on deployment in the Red Sea.

He now volunteers with Portsmouth Samaritans. He says: “I have been so impressed with Sams since I started and so pleased that there are resources for ex and serving military and their families. I love the Sams family, whom I’ve found to be a wonderful bunch of folk from all kinds of backgrounds. As well as helping others in their worst of times I’ve found that I also gain a lot by helping those people. I think we can all be proud of the service that we provide.”

If you’d like to support Dave please visit https://www.samaritans.org/branches/portsmouth/portsmouth-samaritans-news/running-50km-for-samaritans/

Portsmouth man takes on 50km challenge to support fellow veterans