Heartbreak for mega runner as the lockdown halts his 5,800-mile charity mission

Paul Minter, 34, planned to cover 30 miles a day for 200 days. It was all due to start in South Shields on Saturday, November 28, which was the day after he left the Army.

Paul wanted to raise money to set up a charity retreat where people who have been in the military – serving and veterans – could come for support through their dark times.

He said: “The lockdown meant that it did not make sense for me to continue. For one thing, it would have broken regulations and also, the whole point was to get as many people involved as possible.”

Paul’s plan was for people to run sections with him, offer support, donations and somewhere to stay each night.

He added: “I had 400 names of people who volunteered for me to stay at their place but it does not make sense to do this until Covid-19 is cleared and I can stay at people’s houses.”

But there is good news too. The postponement means that Paul can spread the word about his run even further.

Paul, a former South Tyneside College student, has founded a charity called Head Up and is also setting up a holistic retreat where military personnel can come for seven to 21 days to learn techniques to help them with a positive outlook in their lives.

Paul, now in St Albans, saw service for 18 years but he has twice faced life-or-death experiences while he was on duty in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.

First, in 2006, his seven-strong unit was ambushed in a rocket attack and only three of them came out alive. In 2011, Paul was the leader in a Jackal machine gun vehicle when it hit a roadside bomb.

Since the two dramas, he learned everything he could about positive mindsets, the right nutrition, and self development. Now he plans to use the skills and his military experience to help others.

He said: “I have not got a firm date for the run yet but hopefully it will be in February or March but it is completely dependent on Covid.”

To find out more about Paul and his charity Head Up visit https://www.head-up.org.uk

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