Ex-Para Tony, who has built up a £60m care home business, aims to raise over £10,000 for Combat Stress, the leading charity helping British veterans traumatised by their wartime experiences, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tony and fellow Falkland's veteran Wayne Rees are returning to the islands this week for the first time since 1982 when they helped to liberate them following the Argentinian invasion.

Throughout the 50-mile trek across the island Tony and Wayne will meet with islanders who were caught up in the conflict and will mark the sacrifices of the 255 British soldiers who died.

Tony will be self-funding the 8,000 mile trip to the Falklands and a Channel 4 documentary will be made of the journey, to be shown on March 20.

In October last year Tony took part in Channel 4's "The Secret Millionaire", living undercover in Liverpool where he met Lee Sanger (29) a veteran of the Iraq War who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

At the end of his visit, when Tony personally donated £30,000 to a charity of Lee's choice, he chose Combat Stress.

Combat Stress, which has bases in Ayr, Surrey and Shropshire, specialises in providing support to those who suffer from service-related mental illnesses, this includes PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders.

Tony (48) said: "Those who serve in the armed forces never forget their wartime experiences and I watched several of my best friends die in the battles we fought in the South Atlantic. Fortunately I've been able to move on with my life but others have not been so fortunate.

"After filming 'The Secret Millionaire' I committed to support Combat Stress and do as much as I could to help them continue making a huge, positive difference to veterans suffering from mental illnesses like PTSD."

During their time in the Falklands their journey will include travelling over the Sussex Mountains, before descending to the site of the Battle of Goose Green where the 2nd Para Regiment experienced fierce fighting with Argentine forces.



Then they will travel to Fitzroy before revisiting the site of the Battle of Wireless Ridge, one of seven strategic hills that had to be taken before British Forces could recapture Port Stanley. The attack was successful, and the entire Argentine force on the Falklands surrendered later that day.

Tony added: "More British veterans have died from suicide after the Falklands Conflict than during it, which underlines the vital work which Combat Stress carries out.

"It will be a hugely emotional experience for Wayne and I, but I hope that the British public will recognise the sacrifices made by our forces, not only in the Falklands but in Iraq and Afghanistan and pledge to support our journey by donating what they can to Combat Stress via our Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Tony-Banks"

Trevor Royle, Combat Stress trustee in Scotland and military historian, said: "At a time when the gulf between the armed forces and civilian society has widened, it's a tremendous boost to see supporters like Tony Banks doing so much to raise funds for Combat Stress and to help those ex-Service personnel who have suffered as a result of their experiences.

"Tony is going back to the Falklands where 11 per cent of our veterans served but ahead lies another mountain to climb - with increasing numbers of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans now coming to us for help."

Major Ronnie Proctor, the Black Watch Association secretary, said: "The Black Watch has been involved in recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and is fully aware of the help and value given by Combat Stress to veterans who require assistance.

"The Black Watch Association has given financial support to this worthwhile cause over a number of years and we support Tony Banks and Wayne Rees on their project to raise awareness and funds for Combat Stress."

John Swinney, MSP for North Tayside, is also giving his support to Tony.

He said: "PTSD, depression and anxiety can be a lasting legacy of war. Those who have been in battle can be affected by it forever. It is important that we remember that the mental scars are just as real as the physical wounds.

"Combat Stress provides an outlet for those who need it. Whatever the needs of the veteran, Combat Stress will try to accommodate them.
The money which Tony will be raising by travelling to the Falkland Islands will help to fund an additional level of care and allow Combat Stress to continue to help those who have been affected through combat."

Anyone wishing to support Tony's efforts can do so via www.justgiving.com/Tony-Banks.