Heroic Brit amputee soldiers do 22 push-up challenge to highlight shocking number of army suicides
Former marine says it's important to raise awareness about the need for mental health support
Inspiring amputee soldiers have been undertaking a push-up challenge to raise awareness about suicide rates in the military.
Videos of serviceman doing 22 push-ups with the hashtags #22KILL and #22PUSHUPCHALLENGE have gone viral.
Members of the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association, which helps past and present servicemen and women who have suffered life-changing injuries, have teamed up with US serviceman to undertake the challenge.
It was started in a bid to raise awareness of veteran suicide, after shocking figures revealed 22 US veterans take their own lives each day.
Everyday a new person is nominated to take up the challenge and so far more than 10,000 servicemen and women, both disabled and serving, have completed it.
Former Royal Marine Captain Jon White, 33, was one of the first veterans to take part.
The triple amputee was blown up by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan in 2010.
Videos show Jon, who had both of his legs amputated, hauling himself onto a chair for support, before completing the push-ups.
The married dad-of-two, who lives in Devon, said: "I have hazy memories of what happened to me, which come back in flashes.
"I wanted to get involved with this challenge ans it was fitting for me to reach my 22nd day on the anniversary of when I was blown up in Afghanistan."
Jon, who is a motivational speaker, nominated former commando pal Mark Ormrod.
Former Royal Marine Mark, 32, lost three limbs in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED in Helmond on Christmas Eve 2007.
He became the UK's first triple amputee from Afghanistan after losing his legs and right arm and admits he considered suicide shortly after being discharged from hospital.
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Mark who lives with wife Becky, 30, and their three children in Plymouth said: I did think about suicide when I got out of hospital.
"The military put my family up in a flat opposite and when I was discharged I went across to the flat.
"The wheelchair wouldn't fit in the lounge where people were eating and chatting so I had to have my dinner on my lap in the hallway.
"That night I was getting ready for bed when I saw myself for the first time in a full-length mirror and I just had a fleeting thought of 'I don't want to live like this'.
"That's as far as it went but I've known other people who have committed suicide.
"I know one person who wasn't injured but came back from Afghanistan only to find out his partner had cheated on him with someone else.
"It was too much for him and he killed himself.
"It's very important for me to be part of this challenge to raise awareness about providing the right mental health support and provision for servicemen."
About 160 veterans have suffered above-knee amputations.
The 22 Kill campaign is aiming to reach 22 million push-ups.
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