A MAN who served in the Army for more than 20 years will be going "off the grid" for four nights in support of former soldiers struggling to adapt to civilian life.
John Hughes, of Mold, joined the Army at 16, serving in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and 23 Pioneer Regiment in two spells adding up to more than 20 years.
John Hughes will live 'off the grid' near Mold.
Although he left the Army in 2014, he says he is only now getting used to life out of service.
That is why he decided to put his survival skills to the test to raise money for Rock2Recovery, a community interest company with the mission to save and change the lives of those in the Armed Forces, veteran community, and their families who are affected by stress.
John served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and 23 Pioneer Regiment from the age of 16.
John, who works in the gym at St David's Park Hotel in Ewloe, said: "I left the Army in December 2014 and after all this time it is only now that I'm getting used to life. Before that I would feel that I was on leave from the Army, I had been a soldier since the age of 16, and I struggled a bit.
"Others have found it harder. We have an epidemic of veterans committing suicide and it is left to organisations like Rock2Recovery to give them the support they need."
John, 44, added that his son Thomas joining the Army, where is is currently training to be a drone pilot, made him want to do something for current and future veterans.
John Hughes with son Thomas.
He said: "My lengthy (broken) career was a complete roller coaster! Many good times that I’ll never forget! I made many great friends who I love dearly!
On Thomas starting the same journey he himself did in 1991, John added: "This brings mixed emotions as my career wasn’t all a party!"
He added: "It is sad in a way that it is down to use doing things like this to mop up the mess. I have struggled and I know other people are struggling, I think more should be done to support our veterans."
The plan is to move into a woodland near Nercwys on March 9 and live off the land until March 13.
John will be joined by his friend Tim Fergusson, 42, from Belfast. As a civilian, Tim will be letting his friend take the lead and John thinks, with his knowledge and experience of survival, the challenge is achievable.
Tim Fergusson of Belfast.
In the interest of safety, John will not be setting traps or snares and, unless they find some roadkill, food will consist mainly of mushrooms and perhaps insects.
"We will not be taking any food with us whatsoever. I have done a recce of the site and have seen some wood sorrel there. We can also lift logs to find grubs to eat if it comes to it to give us that vital protein."
He admitted that he wasn't as clued up on what can be eaten as bushcraft expert Ray Mears and would be adopting the policy of "if we don't recognise it, we won't be eating it".
John says, due to it being largely agricultural land in the area, digging wells for water is not advisable so they will have small rations of water delivered.
Support John and Tim by visiting https://teamfortitude.co.uk/donators/john-hughes-team/
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