Doncaster man completes 24 hour sponsored walk in memory of Army pal

A Doncaster military man has taken on a gruelling 24 hour sponsored walk to raise funds in memory of his Armed Forces pal following his death.

Craig Hawksworth spent a full day pounding the streets of Doncaster - with his efforts drawing in nearly £1,000.

Craig took on the challenge in memory of his fellow Coldstream Guardsman Darren McBride.

On his fundraising page, which you can donate to HERE Craig said: “As many of you know, my fellow Guardsman and brother in arms, Darren McBride, sadly passed away earlier this year.

“Darren proudly served his country as a Coldstream Guard.

“He dedicated his life to protecting others, but like so many veterans, some of the battles continued long after he took off the uniform.

“He leaves behind three beautiful children who now face life without their Dad. No child should have to grow up with that loss.”

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The 24 hour non stop walk was to help Darren’s family and Craig added: “Every step represented the invisible burden that thousands of serving personnel and veterans carry every single day—flashbacks, anxiety, hypervigilance, sleepless nights, depression and memories that refuse to fade.

“PTSD doesn’t just affect the person living with it. It impacts husbands, wives, partners, children, parents and friends. Entire families carry the weight.

“This walk was about more than endurance. It was about remembering Darren, raising awareness, breaking the stigma around PTSD, and showing those who are struggling that they are not alone.”

“If my legs ache after 24 hours, I can take a rest. Many veterans don’t get that choice.

“The money I am raising is going to his 3 beautiful children who are fighting the battle of losing a parent during childhood due to PTSD.

“Because no one who served our country should have to fight their hardest battle alone.

“You ain’t heavy… your my brother.”