Having taken on a gruelling course through Europe, Dane Greenstreet can now sit back and take pride in his accomplishments.
The veteran completed British military charity Help for Heroes’ most significant event – the Big Battlefield Bike Ride – in June, raising between $12,000 and $13,000 overall.
Mr Greenstreet was originally meant to represent military charity Mates4Mates, but was left without a sponsor following their decision to withdraw.
He was determined to continue on, and – after raising £2000 for Help for Heroes – went to London to train with several British participants.
The ride kicked off on June 11, with the group visiting World War I battlefield sites in Somme and Vimy Ridge.
The Australind local made a point of visiting Australian memorials in Villers-Bretonneux, Fromelles, and Mont St Quentin.
Mr Greenstreet praised everyone involved in helping him through the journey.
“It was a really good experience, we ended up riding about 580 kilometres over the five days,” he said.
“We visited some really interesting battlefields and historical locations.
“It was not an easy ride, but it was made easier by having really good and inspirational people around me.”
Mr Greenstreet had served for 17 years in the Australian Army, and was deployed across Australia, the Solomon Islands, East Timor, Tonga, Samoa, the United Kingdom, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
His Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and anxiety took hold, forcing Mr Greenstreet to be medically discharged in 2016.
“I have struggled for the past few years dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and with that came a loss of self,” Mr Greenstreet said.
“From the fundraising right through to the training, I have learned that I still have control over my life.”
“I feel really good now because I have completed it, and now I am just looking for my next challenge.”
Mr Greenstreet has planned to return to France for 2019’s event, set to honour those who had fought in D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
Head to helpforheroes.org.uk to find out more about the organisation.
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