Testimonials

Before I was invited on the expedition, I had lost all hope of ever getting my head right and found myself just wanting it to end. Now after going through this experience and realising that I’m most definitely not on my own and just talking with lads at night around a fire has given me the mental strength and a new lease of life to want to go ahead with some therapy. Not just for me but my family as well so we can grow stronger.

We arrived at the airport and I already felt like I was somewhere I belonged again, unrestrained in my comments, listened too & valued, then the group got bigger and better and before I knew it the team had fully assembled and the trip to Luleä in the Swedish Lapland began.

Arriving at the hotel late in the evening, it was a case of, head down see ya in the AM.

Breakfast done & onto the transport that took us out to the edge of the frozen Bothnian Sea. We met our guide that would take us to the Artic Circle. He can only be described as the Swedish Austin Powers, a truly amazing person & cue 6 days of pure entertainment, “Do I make you horny baby..do I? etc rained out across the terrain (I laughed so much on this trip I almost regained a six pack!).

The challenge itself was so hard at times, such low temps coupled my knee & back injuries was tough. 6-7 hours a day, through snowstorms & forests!

No matter how hard it got or any incidents that we encountered with people falling off in 5ft of snow, snowmobiles getting stuck, collecting water, cooking meals, making fires to keep us warm every night.

Despite all this the one thing that not one single person on the trip has lost is the ability to come together when needed, build a lifelong bond, help, support and listen when it’s needed.
The most amazing group of people who, have the most challenging physical & mental life changing injuries, who just got on with it.

I achieved more personally from spending the most challenging and rewarding 6 days in Swedish Lapland with Ross, Ben, Mac, Billy, Sam, Pez, Johnny & Lee than I have for many years, I left feeling rejuvenated and ready to challenge myself again in the world and life I live in and for that I will be eternally grateful to VetRun180.

Vetrun180 are delivering an excellent opportunity for former service personnel from a wide spectrum of conflicts to do something which harps back to their former life in the military. Challenge, team work, living outdoors and having a good laugh. Great trip in good company.

I have come home with a sense of achievement, totally knackered, but with a clear head and a feeling of belonging. Whilst the driving is challenging, at times hard graft and very enjoyable, it is the evenings, sat around a fire or under an awning chewing the fat with people who get you that also really helps.

Seeing the Vetrun180 charity in operation first hand has being both an honour and inspirational, I am certain there is some things in life I will look at with a different thought process ….

Bringing back many memories of my time serving in the military ,and seeing the group bond and connect as a team has being fabulous to watch
Massive well done to the TL who make this happen keep up the outstanding work KUDOS from me many many thanks

Lee W - VetRun180 - Beneficiary

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you!

It was so beneficial to be around other guys that suffer with PTSD as it made it easier for me to open up and speak about my problems. It took a few days for this to kick in but all of us being in the same boat and sharing cooking etc made it seamless. Listening to a lot of the others that have been veterans a while has opened my eyes and made me realize that there are a lot more of us out there that struggle with PTSD or struggle with other injuries.

The trip has also increased my network of brothers and I will be in contact with some of the guys over the next few months sharing experience and being an ear if needed.

The application process was straight forward with personal interaction from a team leader from the very beginning.

During the second video call of the application process I was offered a place on the Sweden Expedition and from that moment, I had this amazing opportunity to look forward to. That alone, was enough to change my outlook on problems which were previously feeling too substantial and weighing me down.

I can honestly say that VetRun180 has changed my life. I’ve returned to my normal self and dug myself out of the hole I previously felt I was in.
There is comfort in knowing there is a charity out there who offer what VetRun do. This, along with now having met like-minded ex military personnel who have a mixture of their own personal issues.
Meeting, getting to know, and becoming friends with these guys and understanding their problems they’re dealing with, somehow helps in more ways than can be explained.
My VetRun experience began the moment I was offered a place on the expedition and I can’t thank everyone involved in the charity enough.

The Sweden expedition itself was one of the best weeks of my life. The trip was planned and executed to perfection.
As mentioned many times on the expedition, it truly is a ‘bucket list’ trip and one very few would ever be fortunate to experience.

I can’t imagine anyone not benefiting in some way from a VetRun180 expedition. At no point within the trip was any stress or overwhelming responsibilities forced upon the beneficiaries. This is a result of excellent prior organisation and on-the-ground leading from the TL’s, therefore I would recommend VetRun180 to anyone.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the successful running of VetRun180, and know, that the charity truly is achieving what its set out to do.
Many thanks for this experience of a life time.

Scott - VetRun180 - Beneficiary

I found myself waiting in the airport for a bunch of lads who I had never met or spoken to before. Almost instantly, when the team all arrived, it just seemed like everyone fell back into the banter and family like team spirit that is so missing in society that only serving or ex serving members will ever truly understand.

The trip was, by far, something that really was needed for myself personally, having the time away with like-minded individuals who can share their own experiences in an amazing setting was a huge, and much needed, reset for me
I was finding things difficult to adjust in civilian life and I found myself getting distant from things that were important.

The trip really helped myself understand that many others are going through the same as me. By being placed in this team brought back a sense of belonging and togetherness and adventure.
Personally, I ticked off many things that were on my bucket list on the trip.

The Arctic Circle, Snowmobiling through the Swedish Lapland, seeing the Northern Lights to name but a few.

I experienced some of the best memories of my life, with some of the most amazing people that I have had the pleasure of spending time with.
Sharing this trip with the highest calibre of people was simply phenomenal.

l owe a lot to the VetRun180 family, you have supported me and I will forever be grateful for what you stand for and what you help others like myself achieve.
Thank you to all the team leaders as you are not only inspirational but a real credit to the charity.

Took me a little while to calm down and reflect on the trip , still processing the magnitude of information from the experience, certainly has been the most fun , emotional and overwhelming journey experience of my life , spiritually and mentally both on a superficial and on a deeper level that as time goes by the finer details are emerging from the effort that was made by , Ross , mack , Ben , Thomas and the rest of the men and women involved.

I'm finding it hard to put it into words the gratitude I'm feeling right now but I just want you all to know how much this has meant to me and the positive effects it had already had in my outlook towards my attitude and life in general , iv had problems with a lot of things mh , alcohol , anger etc you know the score but I feel purged from it all and happy that the "180" has been for me very effective.

Thank you to the charity for changing lives not only the direct participants but the wider effected also friends family etc

I love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Drew - VetRun180 - Beneficiary

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you!

I have attended 2 Vetrun expeditions, which have been excellent and very well organised. After being inured in Afghanistan they have given me a sense of community, which I know that I contact at anytime if I’m in need. The expeditions have given me a confidence and sense of well being that I haven’t had since leaving the military, this confidence has transferred over to my home and work life and has made a massive difference to me and my family. Overall I would recommend Vetrun to any Veteran who wants a brilliant support network whilst undertaking challenging, well organised expeditions with great Vetrun staff and veterans. I can say without doubt that Vetrun has changed my life for the better after struggling with being discharged from the Royal Marines.