A mid Wales veteran is set to cycle and walk blindfolded for 800 miles as the final part of his three-year challenge to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK

Captain Colin Jones MBE has been completing a three-year fundraising challenge alongside other veterans and serving soldiers in his regiment, in memory of Captain Stephen Healey who was killed in Afghanistan on 26 May 2012 when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED).

Mr Jones, from Aberystwyth, will set off from the old site of the Connaught Barracks in Dover today (Monday, August 16) and aims to arrive at the charity’s training and rehabilitation in Llandudno on Tuesday, August 31. Colin will then complete the final part of the challenge and complete a 47-mile blindfold walk to Hightown Barracks in Wrexham.

"I am looking forward to starting the final phase of this three-year challenge," he said.

"During this challenge, I will revisit twelve of the Barracks that I was posted to during my army career as well as retrace some of the charity route which Stephen completed in 2012".

Captain Stephen Healey, who was from Cardiff, served in the 1st Battalion of The Royal Welsh regiment. He joined the Army in 2007 and was deployed to Afghanistan on 9 March 2012, taking over command of Checkpoint Langar as part of Combined Force Burma in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh Battlegroup.

On May 26 2012, whilst on patrol, his JACKAL vehicle was struck by an IED, killing Stephen and significantly injuring several of his colleagues in the vehicle.

On Wednesday May 26, the 9-year anniversary of Stephen’s death, Colin launched the next series of challenges. The first was ascending Snowdon blindfolded which he completed in an impressive 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Colin and the Royal Welsh regiment had originally wanted to complete several physically challenging events over a planned three-year period however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to reschedule most of these.

"I didn’t know Stephen personally, but I have done lots of fundraising challenges over the years. A few of the guys in my regiment knew about my fundraising so they approached me, and I agreed to do a challenge in memory of Stephen," he added.

"Steve was a great ambassador for Blind Veterans UK. We are doing this challenge for him".

To support Colin and the Royal Welsh team, please visit their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/colinjones910