A FORMER soldier is walking more than 370 miles home for Christmas to raise money for service personnel.

Dan McAreavey, 29, originally from Blackburn, is walking from where he works in Rue, a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France, to the town hall to raise money for Combat Stress - the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.

He initially wanted to raise £635 - £1 for every serviceman or woman killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, - but has already surpassed that amount.

Dan, who works as a senior instructor at Manor Adventure, starts his epic walk on Monday and is aiming to be back in East Lancashire by December 23.

He left the military in July 2012 after eight years as a signaller in the Royal Signallers, when he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression, which caused many problems with his personal life and work.

He said: "Ever since I was 11, I have done some form of fundraising at Christmas and this year is no different.

"And this year I wanted to set myself a challenge. I wanted to be at home for Christmas so I decided to walk home to raise money.

"I've done long walks before in the Army but nothing like this so it's going to be a real challenge.

"It's a charity that does a lot of good work. No one can see that invisible scars that people have. It's obvious when someone has an arm or a leg missing. But things like PTSD are an invisible scar and they're not the easiest to diagnose or treat."

Dan, a former Darwen Moorland School pupil, will make the 56-mile walk from Rue to Calais, jump on the ferry to Dover and then from there up to Blackburn.

He said: "As I'm doing it on my own, I know there will be hard times but I've got my iPod to listen to. I like to listen to motivational speeches by people like Dr Eric Thomas and Les Brown.

"They will keep me going as I make my way up towards Blackburn. I've planned out the route and where I will be staying so I'm already for the off.

"My brother and my best mate are joining me on the last leg from Manchester to Blackburn and I'm sure I'll be glad to get my feet up."

British outdoor brand Trekmates, for whom Dan is an ambassador, has donated some of his kit for his epic walk.

Dan will be blogging on his Facebook and Instagram pages throughout his walk and people can donate at www.justgiving.com/DanWHFC.