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Mar 25, 2026
A Teesside military veteran and long-standing member of the Bannatyne Health Club & Spa in Ingleby Barwick is preparing to undertake an extraordinary endurance challenge spanning more than 700 miles across land and water to raise funds and awareness for two charities supporting veterans’ mental health alongside fellow veterans.
Nigel Morris, who has been a member at the club since shortly after it opened, will set off in April, alongside fellow veterans and a close friend on a self-funded, unsupported expedition from Teesside to Porto in Portugal. Completing the challenge with him is George Rock, Paul Douthwaite and Russ Barrow.
It will see the team travel by bike and kayak, covering hundreds of miles and navigating mountains, rivers and unpredictable weather, to support the charities Combat Stress and Fishing for Heroes.
Nigel, who has been diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following his military service, says the challenge is about raising awareness and encouraging other veterans to seek support.
He said: “Living with Complex PTSD is a very difficult thing. Openly admitting you need help is not being weak. It is taking a step out of your comfort zone.
“The support from Combat Stress and Fishing for Heroes has helped me enormously, providing the tools to live a more positive life and create my ‘new normal’.
“To do this challenge with fellow veterans is both cathartic and a privilege.”
The journey will take place in three gruelling stages. The first leg will see the team cycle 330 miles from Teesside to Portsmouth in just seven days. Carrying more than 60kg of equipment, they will wild camp each night and remain completely self-sufficient as they make their way south to catch the ferry to Spain.
From Santander, the second leg will see them return to their bikes for an eight-day, 398-mile ride through the Picos de Europa mountains before crossing into Portugal. The route will include climbs of more than 1,000 metres in elevation and temperatures that could reach 40°C.
After reaching Porto, the final stage will take the team inland to Barca d’Alva where they will begin a 120-mile kayaking expedition along the Douro River, following the Spanish border before paddling west through the heart of Portugal back to Porto over 10 days. In total, the team will travel more than 700 miles by bike and kayak.
Nigel, who previously set two Guinness World Records rowing across the Atlantic unsupported from Canada to Falmouth in 2002 and 2005, says the challenge is entirely self-funded so that all donations go directly to the charities.
Combat Stress provides specialist treatment and support for veterans experiencing complex mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression related to military service.
Fishing for Heroes offers fully funded fishing programmes for veterans and active servicemen and women living with PTSD, combat fatigue and other psychological challenges linked to their service.
Nigel added that the gym environment and supportive community at Bannatyne Health Club & Spa in Ingleby Barwick has played an important role in helping him maintain his physical and mental wellbeing.
Duncan Bannatyne, chairman and chief executive of the Bannatyne Group, said: “Veterans have given so much in service to our country and it is vital that they receive the support they need when they return to civilian life.
“Nigel’s challenge is an incredible example of determination and resilience, and it will help raise awareness of the fantastic work being done by charities such as Combat Stress and Fishing for Heroes. We wish him and the team every success on their remarkable journey.”
The expedition begins on April 13, with supporters encouraged to follow the journey and help raise funds for the two charities supporting veterans’ mental health and wellbeing.
https://givewheel.com/fundraising/10497/teeside-to-portugal-by-bike-and-boat/
