Ex-soldier Kev set for battlefield cycling tour in aid of Legion
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An ex-soldier from Wick is preparing for a cycling trip around locations in France and Belgium that are steeped in war history – having faced a few battles of his own over the years.
Kev Stewart will cover a 300km route during the two-day challenge next month, starting at Dunkirk and ending at the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres, in aid of the Royal British Legion.
A veteran of Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, Kev is a committee member and flag-bearer for the Legion's Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch.
The 44-year-old is undertaking the ride after coming through two personal ordeals over the past 18 months. First he contracted a near-fatal case of meningitis, then suffered a freak accident that left him with a broken tibia and fibula and a dislocated ankle.
He will be among around 40 Legion supporters taking part in the event over the weekend of July 8/9.
Kev served in Northern Ireland in the mid-1990s with The Highlanders, leaving the regular army with the rank of lance-corporal. He then joined the Territorial Army and had two tours in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2003.
He passed selection for the 23 SAS Regiment (Reserve).
Kev's experiences in Afghanistan were to have a lasting impact.
"It affected me for life," he said. "From that I got PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]. That had a massive effect on my mental health.
"Under the umbrella of PTSD you've got night terrors, nightmares, the after-effects of it, the depression and anxiety.
"It put me on a bad road for a bit of my life until I got diagnosed and got it dealt with."
It was during this time that Kev found his faith in God. He is now studying for a Christian theology degree through the Highland Theological College in Dingwall.
He had always loved exercise and had a passion for hillwalking. As a bodybuilding enthusiast, he won the Mr Highland title in 2017.
"One of the major things that fended off the demons of depression and anxiety was exercise. It worked better than anything," he said.
"If I don't have exercise, the demons come. I'm an outdoors person – I love the hills and I love the countryside and the fresh air. At the same time, I like working in the gym. It's really important for my mental health.
"I had quite a bad year last year. In January last year I nearly died with meningitis – I was in hospital for weeks. I was in a bad state. It took me a couple of months to get right again.
"Then in August I had a freak accident and I was in hospital for weeks again. I've got a massive plate down the side of my leg and had to get my ankle rebuilt. I can't walk for any long distance, I can't squat properly."
He was forced to rethink his approach to exercise – and cycling was the answer.
Kev explained: "I had to look at 'What can I do?' instead of what I can't do.
"With being a Christian, and fitness being a really important part of my life, I thought I'll do something for charity and at the same time do something I enjoy. It's win-win. I'm away serving God and I'm enjoying it."
Kev's preparations for the Ypres trip included competing in the 66-mile Etape Loch Ness in April.
He will travel to Dover on July 7 before crossing the Channel by ferry. War sites on the cycling itinerary include Arras, Vimy Ridge, Loos, Neuve Chapelle, Ploegsteert and Tyne Cot.
He has already exceeded the £750 target on his JustGiving fundraising page, with £928 pledged so far.
"I thought I'd give something back, especially for the personnel that served their country and have given us the freedom we have now," Kev said.
"I just want to feel the presence of these areas and feel the history of the men that have fallen. It was hell on earth for them and I have total respect for them. As an ex-soldier I just want to be there to absorb that atmosphere."
