“I Spent 30 Years in Silence”: veteran to run 1,000 miles across Britain for PTSD awareness

From 1st May 2026, his campaign, “Every Step Towards Recovery,” will see Dave average up to 40 miles a day, carrying his own kit, including a tent, as he runs the length of the UK to raise vital funds and awareness for people living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD.

But this is not a race for medals.

It is a journey of survival, recovery, and hope.

For Dave, this challenge is deeply personal. After turning 50 in January this year, he has lived with PTSD and mental health struggles for over 30 years - much of that time in silence.

After leaving school at just 13 with no qualifications and little support, Dave joined the British Armed Forces at 17. Over a decade of service saw him deployed to Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Cyprus. What followed were years shaped by trauma, injury, bullying, and repeated mental health crises - including long periods in and out of psychiatric hospitals and under mental health care teams, with moments where survival itself felt uncertain.

After leaving the army, Dave’s struggles with his mental health intensified, leading to a breakdown, a suicide attempt, and a period of homelessness. He was sectioned and spent time in secure mental health units - a time he describes as the darkest period of his life.

Like so many veterans and civilians alike, Dave spent years suffering in silence before finally accessing the right support - enabling him to begin rebuilding his life.

Dave later became the first person to be employed as a Nursing Assistant at the very hospital where he had once been a patient - supporting others facing the same challenges he had lived through.

He is now speaking out in the hope that others will seek support sooner - and that no one else has to spend decades struggling in silence.

Dave King said: “This run is about far more than miles or endurance. It’s about raising vital funds so people affected by PTSD and C-PTSD can get the support they deserve, sooner. For years I believed I had to face everything alone - now I want others to know that help is available. If my journey gives people hope and helps fund that support, then every step truly matters.”

The journey also carries a deeply personal significance.

As a child, one of Dave’s few happy memories was travelling the UK coastline with his parents and grandparents. Now, as he prepares to begin his run, he will return to Scotland - staying in Inverness with a family member he hasn’t seen in over 35 years.

For Dave, this challenge is not just about distance - it is about reconnecting with his past, facing it, and moving forward.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition some people develop after experiencing trauma such as domestic abuse, the sudden death of a loved one, a road traffic accident, military service, traumatic childbirth, bullying, sexual violence, working in the emergency services, or growing up in a home where fear was part of everyday life.

It’s estimated that in any given week in the UK, 4 in every 100 people are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - equating to around 2.6 million people nationwide. Despite this, PTSD and C-PTSD remain widely misunderstood and, for many, still relatively unknown, which is why awareness-raising challenges like Dave’s are so important.

Running for visibility, not just distance

Throughout the 31-day challenge, Dave plans to run through as many towns, villages and cities as possible - stopping to talk, share, and encourage open conversations about mental health, PTSD, and trauma. He will also be easily recognised as he will be carrying a 5ft PTSD flag attached to his backpack.

Running has long been Dave’s coping mechanism - sometimes a form of escape, sometimes a way to release pain.

But this challenge is different.

“The hardest part won’t be the miles,” Dave says. “It will be being alone with my thoughts for long periods of time.”

For 31 days, there is no distraction - only the road ahead and the thoughts he once tried to outrun. This time, the challenge is not just physical, but deeply emotional: facing those memories, sitting with them, and continuing forward anyway.

Backed by community — and calling for more support

Dave’s challenge has already received generous backing from corporate sponsors who have helped provide essential equipment and logistical support including, Royal British Legion, Nice Work Running Management, Otimos Outdoor gear, Atom Packs & Sailflags.

Dave is also appealing for qualified massage therapists, physiotherapists, sports therapists and recovery professionals who may be willing to volunteer time or expertise along the route to help him manage the physical toll of running over 1,000 miles in one month.

Why PTSD UK matters

PTSD UK is the only UK charity supporting everyone affected by PTSD and C-PTSD no matter the trauma that caused it. A small but growing charity, PTSD UK was created in response to the many people across the UK who have historically struggled to access clear, trauma-specific information and support. Its work focuses on providing accessible resources, practical guidance and reassurance - helping people understand their symptoms, explore treatment options, and access support sooner and more effectively.

Every donation - no matter the amount - brings Dave one step closer to his £2,500 target and helps ensure people don’t have to face PTSD alone.

How to support

Donations can be made securely via Givestar, with all funds going directly to PTSD UK. Givestar is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and the Association of Charitable Organisations. https://givestar.io/gs/every-step-towards-recovery--running-the-uk-in-31-days

Those wishing to donate professional support, or follow Dave’s journey can get in touch directly:

Contact: [email protected]