AN RAF veteran who became homeless due to mental health and alcohol issues has visited Devil’s­ Bridge as part of a mammoth 1,400-mile walk to raise awareness of the issue.

Steve Thomas, 39, has been walking from his hometown in Blaengwynfi in Neath Port Talbot across the Brecon Beacons and into parts of east England and London since 18 December.

Sleeping rough along his Roughing It For Our Heroes journey, Steve was treated to a night at the Tynrhyd Retreat in Devil’s Bridge on 22 December by owners Sian and Gareth Thomas.

The couple said: “He arrived in good spirits having walked 25 miles; a badly fitted boot had left him with a sore and painful foot and he had a twisted ankle, however, new boots were delivered to him by his sister the next day.

“Steve spent the evening with us at Tynrhyd. Over supper he discussed homeless veterans and mental health issues that affect so many members of society, not just veterans.

“He explained the different organisations that are available to help individuals, and his crusade across Wales and England to raise awareness.”

Having stayed overnight at Tynrhyd with the Price family, Gareth cooked him a huge Welsh breakfast and Sian gave him food and chocolates to keep him going on the next leg of his journey.

Since leaving the British Forces in 2003, where he served in Canada, Germany, Bosnia, Falkland Islands, Georgia and Cyprus, ex-RAF communications operator Steve has suffered with severe mental health issues.

During the last decade these issues have led to several suicide attempts as well as health issues­ and problems with alcoholism.

It also left him homeless.

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