Mold Army veteran John survives off the grid for five days to support veterans dealing with mental health issues

While others queued for pasta and beans, John Hughes was surviving on pine needle tea and a turnip "covered in mud and cow crap".

But it was all for a worthy cause as, after braving the elements and exhaustion, John discovered that the money he has raised from the challenge had directly helped improve the lives of three former soldiers struggling with their mental health though Rock2Recovery.

John and Tim

With money still to come in, the target of £2,000 has been beaten to the tune of more than £300.

John, who works at St David's Park Hotel in Ewloe, said: "We absolutely smashed it!

"After we'd finished I had a phonecall from Rock2Recovery who told me that the money we had raised had made a huge difference and had helped three people get support. That id delight me.

"To nail it down like that, to know that we helped three people. It's huge."

Pine needle tea is an acquired taste

Although he left the Army in 2014, having served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and 23 Pioneer Regiment from the age of 16, John says he is only now getting used to life out of service.

A fire provided some warmth

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 joined the Army at 16 and left in 2016

Joined by his pal Tim Fergusson, 42, from Belfast, the Army veteran, who served in Bosnia, described the experience living off the grid in Nercwys as the most exhausting of his life. The pair each lost between 7lb and 9lb over the five days and four nights.

John said: "It was seriously the most challenging thing I have done. It wasn't just the endurance, we had absolutely nothing.

"On day three we found a turnip in the road. It was covered in mud and cow crap, but that's all we had to keep us going.

"On one day, we walked a mile. It took us an hour because we were exhausted."

You can still support John and Tim by visiting https://teamfortitude.co.uk/donators/john-hughes-team/

John Hughes but his survival skills to the test

John's survival diary

Day 1: "Almost done. The realisation of the size of the challenge is slowly sinking in, that said we are sorted out though."

Day 2: "After a bout of foraging and finding very little in the way of finds! We had an interview with BFBS radio to explain what we’re doing and what it’s all about, was good to get the message out there and raise awareness for Rock2Recovery. Thank you to all those who have donated! Very kind. We’re not far off hitting our target."

Day 3: "Were complete exhausted!

"The bank leading in and out of camp is about 50m with a fair incline! Day 1 was a doddle! Day 2 hard work! Today it’s awful, we have to stop a lot to rest just to make it out of camp. We had a visit from a work colleague and good friend Kieren, which we did treat him to a cup of pine needle tea lol. He said he liked it but I think he lied. He well wished us and then left.

"After a quick forage we retired back to the camp area for normal routine. Today’s menu - leftover turnip and pine needle tea. Thank you everyone for your support."

Day 4: Waking up this morning after a wet and windy night, we cracked on with camp routine! We picked the pine needles to make tea to kick start the day. Another visit from a friend seen us taking him for a walk to forage (really out of luck today).

"It later transpired that Ireland and Isle of Man had been put on lockdown! Tim and I decided we would collapse the camp for the last 20 hrs of the challenge due to the virus situation and operate from the car (in case he needed to make the port in a hurry) I’m sure you understand that if Tim is stuck here, he’s here for a long time! Since then we have heard the result from the Cobra meeting, and that’s where we’re at.

"We’re still in the same wood and the challenge still stands."

Day 5: "Waking up full of joy! Knowing full well the event had been well and truly completed.

"After a sweep through the site to make sure nothing had been lost etc we then went to my house to get cleaned up! You have know idea how that felt. Once clean we then headed onto where I work for the final weighing, we both lost between 7 and 9 lbs. While chatting to friends in the work place more kind folks donated! ((Thank you))

"Straight to town to fill up! Fry up! Pint! Whilst enjoying a well earned jar we were approached by folks giving more generous donations to which Tim added to the funding page.

"Wow that was some journey! Thank you everyone for your kindness and support."