A SERVICEMAN from Sutton, who turned to alcohol and was planning suicide, is raising awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

John Sarbutts, 38, from Sutton, who is still serving with the Armed Forces, says completing

nine tours in war-torn locations including Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq, has "taken its toll".

The former St Aelred's pupil, who has a six-year-old son and four step-children, lives with partner Sandie Benham.

Starting on November 6, John is planning to walk 26 miles a day, every day, for 22 days, to raise money for veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress. 

His treks will take him from Langtree Park to Fulwood and vice versa, carrying a 60lb backpack.

John said: "I've decided to take on this challenge after I was recently diagnosed with PTSD and this is my way of showing appreciation for all the

support I have and am receiving."

He added: "Having served 17 years in the army, completing nine tours in several locations and war zones, has

clearly taken its toll on me, even though for a very long time I was convinced that all the things I'd seen and witnessed, like friends and comrades injured or lost, hadn't affected me.

"They had, they caught up with me."

He said he "fell into a big, dark hole" and drank alcohol to numb the pain, soon being classes as an 'alcoholic' by medical professionals - a label he accepted. 

"But deep down I knew I wasn't an alcoholic," he said. "So did all the people who know me best." 

He said he started to have suicidal thoughts: "I was ready to leave family and friends behind. I sat down and wrote goodbye letters to all my loved ones. I planned my suicide, researched best places to commit suicide." 

But one night, a comrade realised there was something wrong, and this led to John being sectioned, reassessed and diagnosed with PTSD.

He said: "I received great support and treatment from the army and medical professionals and it's still ongoing. 

"There's still a long way to go but it's manageable and I now have a positive outlook on life and the future. I want to raise awareness and show other sufferers that there is help out there."

To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/John-Sarbutts