by Nadia Sinclair

Over half of our wounded, injured, and sick veterans, service personnel, and their families have been struggling with the consequences of decreased physical activity during the pandemic. A recent survey suggests that 56% of them are exercising less since COVID-19 hit, with a lack of motivation listed as the number one reason, even though 65% of them use fitness as a stress and anxiety management tool.
Today, four inspiring veterans who have relied on exercise to battle their own mental health challenges brought on by their injuries, including stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression, voice a rallying cry to the public to Step Up and help raise crucial funds for their comrades-in-arms.
In recounting their journey, these veterans – Cornelia Oosthuizen, Rob Shenton, Rachel Williamson, and John Owens – unveil the challenges they’ve had to overcome, from learning to walk again, owning up to mental illness, adjusting to life-altering injuries, and confronting their need for help. These brave veterans hope that you can help support others like them by participating in the new fundraising initiative, “Step Up For Heroes”.

Take Your Steps For A Worthy Cause

The “Step Up For Heroes” initiative is a fundraising challenge aiming to promote fitness and inspire mental wellbeing. Participants commit to take 10,000 steps per day (or a distance of their choice) for a period of 30-days, encouraging sponsorship to fundraise. COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of many regular fundraisers; this challenge creates a way to bridge the gap while offering people a unique chance to boost their fitness levels.
Fitness and sports are vital to a vast majority of our heroes, as they champion overall physical and mental health, according to Hannah Lawton, Sports Recovery Manager at the veterans’ support organization. Exercise plays an essential role in motivating and rediscovering passions after experiencing illness or injury.
Over recent months, exercise has proven a solace for many. However, like our veterans, feeling demotivated due to the concerns and hurdles of the pandemic has touched others. Launching the “Step Up For Heroes” fundraising initiative is an effort to encourage and enable everyone across the UK to work towards a fitness-oriented goal while simultaneously aiding our veterans.

Triumph: Learning To Walk Again

The personal journey of 41-year old Cornelia Oosthuizen, a former British Army officer, exemplifies the courage of these heroes. She had to learn to walk again after losing her lower leg due to an agonizing, long-term pain disorder. Her life took a new turn as she took to wheelchair tennis, winning a gold and bronze medal at the 2017 Invictus Games and aiming for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Veterans’ support groups like “Step Up For Heroes” offer a lifeline to those with injuries and illnesses sustained while in service or related to it. Following their belief that those ready to put their lives second deserve a second chance at life, these organizations offer numerous empowering programs aimed at helping these heroes find their purpose, reach their potential, and positively impact society.