Kevin Russell, who is currently a Mental Health Act Manager at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), will be undertaking his first major run since the Edinburgh Marathon in 2019. He is raising money for Combat Stress, an organisation that provides specialist treatment and support to former service personnel across the UK facing military-related trauma.
Russell, who lives in Basildon, sought help from Combat Stress in 2022 after struggling with suppressed emotions and flashbacks from his 17 years of military service. He underwent a two-year treatment programme with the charity, which provided him with knowledge about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and coping mechanisms. This experience led him to seek an official PTSD diagnosis from EPUT’s mental health services.
He stated, “I am literally starting from scratch again as I haven’t been running for the last few years. I applied every year for the London Marathon and never got in, then Combat Stress offered me a place.” Russell, a father of two, believes Combat Stress saved his life and is dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of PTSD on military personnel and veterans. He was recognised with the charity’s Veteran Storyteller of the Year award in February for sharing his personal journey, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help.
Russell joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a combat medic at the age of 21, serving tours in Oman, Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. He left the Army in 2006, profoundly affected by two incidents in Kabul that involved multiple casualties, including children. He has since worked within the NHS, including at EPUT and its predecessor Trusts.
In his current role at EPUT, Russell assists clinicians in ensuring correct procedures are followed for individuals detained under the Mental Health Act and offers guidance to patients' families. He commented, “Being a patient with Combat Stress, I understand what it’s like being on the other side of the fence, the one needing help, having to have things explained to them and having treatment. I also understand from the other side of being the person to help people and tell them what’s going on.”
Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day hold particular significance for Russell, who participates in Remembrance events annually. He was among the 10,000 participants in the Cenotaph Parade on Remembrance Sunday (8 November), following the National Act of Remembrance led by HM The King. Representing Combat Stress with other veterans, he described the experience as "incredible being there, just being with other veterans and with people who ‘get it’ and you don’t need to say anything." He emphasised the importance of Remembrance Day for remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those still affected by conflict and physical injuries, encouraging people to simply say thank you to a veteran.
Kevin aims to raise at least £2,500 for Combat Stress through the marathon. Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, expressed gratitude, stating, “We are so grateful to Kevin, whose selflessness and determination continue to be invaluable to the veteran community. His efforts continue to inspire veterans to come forward for help, while also shining a spotlight on, and raising vital funds for, our life-changing specialist treatment. We are delighted that he is running the marathon for Combat Stress this year, and we will be cheering him on every step of the way.”
EPUT provides mental health and community care services across Essex, Luton, Bedfordshire, and Suffolk, employing over 7,200 staff across more than 200 sites. The organisation has invested in facilities, technology, and training to enhance care quality and safety, including a 111 mental health crisis line, roles for individuals with lived experience, and new initiatives like a mental health urgent care department and mental health crisis ambulance cars.
