A FORMER front-line medic from Upton is joining an 80 mile charity hike to raise cash to help other soldiers like himself.

Stewart Rooke, 28, was 17 when he first signed up to the British Army and his daughter was just six months old when he was deployed to Afghanistan.

Five and a half months into his tour a vehicle he was in was involved in a road side bomb explosion.

Stewart survived the blast and was flown home but in 2013 was medically discharged from the army after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

His wife Toni told the Globe: " After the explosion he was flown home and recovered well.

"Unfortunately my husbands regiment had lost a large number of men during this tour, and as the front line medic my husband seen it all.

"In May 2016 my husband was medically discharged from the army with severe PTSD.

"Our lives have not been the same since. He has horrendous night terrors, flashbacks and panic attacks.

"Unfortunately my husband did not get the help he needed and therefore has had some very very low times over the last three years.

"We are hoping the money he is raising will help soldiers with PTSD not have to go through what he has."

READ> Wirral soldier's charity hike to thank Royal British Legion

Now Stewart will join a group of soldiers and medics who will hike from Wirral to Snowdon in a bid to raise £3,000 for the Royal British Legion on Saturday, May 18.

The hike is around 80 miles long and is expected to take around 36 hours.

It will begin at Hillbark Hotel in Frankby at 6am before the group sets off with an escort from the Cloud 9 Scooter Club when they reach Ruthin Craft Centre, North Wales at around 2.30pm.

When they reach their destination of Snowdon, the veterans will lay a wreath and hold a minute’s silence to remember fallen comrades.

Hillbark Hotel will by supplying breakfast and food along the route.

To donate, please visit

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/britishlegiontab