A SOUTHAMPTON man will lug heavy car tyres across Southampton as part of a gruelling walk to raise awareness of PTSD.

Paul Knight was diagnosed with PTSD after an ‘upsetting’ accident at work five years ago.

The 58-year-old former care worker has been signed off ever since.

But now - he plans to walk from his home in Sholing to Southampton Guildhall Square while carrying car tyres and a pole with a total weight of more than 10kg.

The 5.5-mile walk scheduled for Sunday, May 14, is to raise “as much money as possible” for PTSDUK – reportedly the only UK based charity dedicated to raising awareness of the psychological condition.

Paul said: "[I hope] to highlight the awareness that it can affect anybody in any walk of life... just to highlight it and to highlight the charity as well.”

He began planning his fundraiser over a year ago and has been inspired by his therapy dog, Maximus.

Paul has struggled over the years with his mental health and thought “it was going to be an easy fix".

His wife, Loretta Knight, with whom he shares five children will be supporting him during his journey and has created a Facebook group

The couple is asking that donations be given during the journey or made directly via the PTSDUK website.

Paul's walk will go past pubs including the Spike Islander, The Red Lion at the top end of Bitterne precinct, The Station, Bitterne Manor, and the Prince of Wales. It will continue along St Mary’s Street and then towards the Bargate and Guildhall Square.

PTSDUK has even commented on the importance of Paul's walk.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We’re so incredibly grateful to all our fundraisers for generously giving their time and effort to raise awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and PTSD UK. The fundraising that Paul is able to do as part of this challenge will also help us on our mission to raise awareness and support everyone affected by PTSD. No matter the trauma that caused it, and so we’d like to thank Paul again for his support.”