Northamptonshire veteran who served in Afghanistan wants help buying bike to help PTSD recovery

An army veteran, who served on operational tours in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan, is pleading for the public's help to buy a bicycle to aid his PTSD recovery.

Nick Wilson, 43, from Towcester, suffers from a catalogue of health issues relating to his 14 years in the armed forces.

Since he left in 2012 he has been diagnosed with seven prolapsed spinal discs, PTSD, osteoarthritis in his knees and fibromyalgia.

He says the chronic levels of pain he suffers from on a daily basis keep him from sleeping and walking properly, reducing him to hours in his one bedroom flat.

He said: "I desperatley need to begin exercising again, which will enable me to keep on top of my weight.

"It will also help me with my mental health, to reduce some of the pain I experience due to limited movement and even allow me to socialise with others once more on an even level."

He believes the only way for him to start his recovery is to buy a recumbent bicycle, one that reclines into a laid-back position, which are sold from £1,500. He has now set up a GoFundMe page, which so far has raised £600, to help him achieve his goal.

He added: "It would seriously change my life from having limited mobility, a limited social life, struggling with pain and struggling with weight problems, which, in turn, increase pain levels.

"I also struggle with depression and anxiety [and I want] that of feeling free and alive once more."

Nick, who has raised £75,000 for charity after setting up Basrah's first half marathon in Iraq, hopes the bicycle will give him a way to raise money again.

In 2012, after leaving the army, Nick started his own executive chauffeuring business in Oxfordshire but his mental breakdown led the veteran to spending three weeks at Combat Stress.

After selling his chauffeuring business Nick started again and was determined to help others with mental health issues and co-founded consultancy firm 360 Wellbeing.

After stepping down this year because of his fibromyalgia, he spends his time running a support group that provides emotional and well being support to key workers who have been impacted by Covid-19.