Former Royal Marine Commando told he ‘would never recover’ is now proving people wrong

A veteran who battled with PTSD and was told he would ‘never recover’ will now climb Mount Everest to shin a light on struggling veterans.

Former Royal Marines Commando Chris Thrall became chronically mentally unwell upon leaving the forces and was homeless on the streets of Hong Kong.

But Chris overcame the odds and has used his experience into a mission of advocacy, recovery and resilience through books, public speaking, and extreme endurance charity events. His past challenges include running the length of Britain, crossing the Sahara, and rowing the Atlantic Ocean.

Chris faced the 3,000 mile crossing from Gran Canaria to Barbados with fellow veteran Louie Greenhalgh. Despite capsizing, having electrical issues and facing huge waves, the pair completed the trip and raised over £78k for Alabaré and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

Chris said: “The medical community said I would never recover, but simply by changing a few paradigms and taking action, I proved them all wrong. I’ve since gone on to live, work and study in over 85 countries across all seven continents.

“I’ve mentored street children in post-war Mozambique, earned a degree in youth work, written several books and undertaken numerous extreme-endurance charity events to raise awareness of the veterans mental health crisis and suicide.”

Now, Chris is taking on Mount Everesr in April 2026 to raise even more vital funds.

He said: “Your kind donation will help me send a powerful message of healing to former-military personel experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, self-medicating, homelessness, many of whom end up taking their own lives.”

To donate to Chris’ GoFundMe click here.