A 222-MILE kayaking challenge has been "life-changing" for a Swindon army veteran.

Graham Stobbs completed his epic journey on Friday – but it was far from plain sailing.

He finished the kayak trip in 11 days, departing from Rye Harbour in East Sussex and heading along the south coast to Slapton Sands in Devon before rounding things off with 32 miles at South Cerney lake.

Graham served in the Royal Green Jackets and wants to help soldiers who leave the forces get mental health support.

He has suffered with PTSD and mental health issues himself.

Graham told the Adver: “It’s been life-changing for me. It has given me a personal boost and positivity to keep pushing forward with what I’m trying to achieve.

“It has given me a 'want to live' rather than if 'I go then I’m gone'. I found myself fighting for my life, I went past a notorious suicide spot, Beachy Head, and it’s all changed me. I want to live now.”

The 48-year-old hoped to raise £2,500 but has smashed that target with £4,500. It will be split between Walking with the Wounded, Veterans Hub Swindon and Weymouth, and armed forces charity the SSAFA.

Graham set up the Veterans’ Hub Swindon – a Facebook community he set up after his own mental health issues spiralled when he left the army.

He completed a tour of Northern Ireland in the early 1990s. He served in the village of Crossmaglen in south Armagh with the 3rd battalion the Royal Green Jackets in 1991 and 1992, when he was 19.

The area was considered so dangerous the army had to be flown in by helicopter.

Graham's challenge aims to raise awareness and let other veterans know there is support out there for them.

“My campaign is to prevent veteran suicide,” Graham said.

“I want to offer them support with their mental health and to highlight the failings in the system so hopefully I can help better the services.”

A combination of bad weather and Covid-19 restrictions saw Graham's plans change daily.

His scheduled Channel crossing was cancelled but Graham battled on against the odds, facing two storms and increasingly dangerous weather as he travelled along the coast.

He laid a wreath at Slapton's beach memorial before he completed the challenge last week.

Graham said: “This is also part of my own healing process and I hope to encourage others to reach out about their own difficulties and seek help like I did. I want to show there is light at the end of the tunnel.”