A former member of the Royal Engineers has shared how exercise saved his life when Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) put him at risk of suicide.

Forty year-old Andy Hawkett from Maidstone was on a routine patrol his bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan in 2010 when a comrade walking in front of him stood on an explosive device, losing both legs in the resulting explosion.

After returning to active duty in October, the father-of-two said he felt his life had been turned upside-down: “I was very angry, I could hardly sleep, I wanted to finish it all - it was not a good time. I would experience intense flashbacks, as well as cold and hot sweats, and I couldn’t hold down a job.

“I knew it was affecting my relationship with my children and I decided I needed to seek help and contacted my welfare officer.”

Mr Hawkett visited the Army Reserve Centre in Chilwell where he was diagnosed with PTSD. The army reservist then began a program of counselling sessions, but said the real breakthrough was when he discovered exercise.

He said: “It made the anger easier to control and I discovered a real passion for it. I knew I wanted this to become part of my profession and I started researching online and found British Military Fitness (BMF) in 2011.”

Mr Hawkett is now putting his military experience to use leading BMF classes in Maidstone and east Kent, helping people get fit with group exercise sessions.

The veteran has also taken part in gruelling races to raise funds for Help For Heroes and is part of the Help For Heroes team competing in the Enduroman Arch to Arc challenge on Friday, September 25.

The triathlon requires relay teams to run 87 miles from Marble Arch London to the Dover coast, to swim across the Channel, and finish with an 181 mile bike from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris.

“I do still have bad days and nights when I cannot sleep,” Mr Hawkett added. “I have not completely recovered from PTSD and am not sure whether anyone really does, however it has got so much easier and more manageable than I imagined.

“It is something that may creep up on you without you realizing and turn your life upside down. But there are things that can help. I would recommend exercise; it may not work for everyone but it helped me to release tension and feel calm. I would also recommend talking about it, no matter how much you may want to suppress the feelings, it really does help.”

Mr Hawkett’s story comes following a University of Manchester report showing suicides among middle aged men to have risen by 73% since 2006.

BMF offers employment opportunities and qualifications for former servicemen and women. For more information about its activities visit www.britishmilitaryfitness.com.

In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 08457 909090.