Former soldier Brian Rollinson, who served in Northern Ireland in the troubles of the 1980s, is helping to raise the profile of a charity helping veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Rollinson, 51, who moved to Devizes in 2013, has suffered from chronic PTSD for 25 years but was only diagnosed last year.

The father-of-one, of Waiblingen Way, is hoping to raise between £5,000 and £10,000 for charity Combat Stress, which helps ex-service personnel suffering from psychological injuries and mental health problems.

Over the next year he is planning to take part in events such as a sponsored bike ride and the Three Peaks challenge.

He said: “There is not enough awareness of this charity in the local area, which is why I want to do this and help others who do not know what help is out there.”

Mr Rollinson was in the army for seven years and served in Northern Ireland in the 1980s but afterwards his life changed.

He said: “My whole personality changed from a bubbly young man to someone my friends and family could not recognise. I had failed relationships, lost jobs and friendships; I did not know what was wrong with me.”

Mr Rollinson became homeless after a failed relationship in 2012 and was sleeping in his car. It was at this point he was diagnosed with chronic PTSD by Combat Stress.

He said: “PTSD is a hidden illness and you won’t see the illness and the pain that we go through every day. I sometimes wish I had lost limbs so people could see what’s wrong with me.”

Mr Rollinson’s work with the charity has taken him to some famous places.

“I have been so humbled to be able to meet the Queen at her garden party in Buckingham Palace in July and recently was invited to Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s veteran reception in London in September.”

He is also involved in On Course Foundation, an organisation which helps veterans to adjust to life away from the armed forces.