A CAREER soldier has raised thousands of pounds for a charity supporting those affected by the horrors of war.

Iraq war veteran Pvt Paul Meehan has spent countless hours in York's train station collecting money for Combat Stress and has ran hundreds of miles to raise funds for former colleagues with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Pvt Meehan, of the Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), based at the Army Medical Services Training Centre (AMSTC), in Strensall, believes he has collected £6,000.

The 44-year-old began collecting for the charity last year after learning more about the condition during a documentary.

He said: "I started this because Ross Kemp did a documentary about PTSD and showed ex-servicemen from the Falklands who were living on the streets and had been overlooked.

"I knew from then that I would start collecting money from them.

"It's emotional standing there collecting and listening to people say 'my dad has done this' or 'my grandad suffers from this', so I feel like I'm giving something back."

Pvt Meehan joined MPGS to be closer to his family after serving the Royal Logistics Corps in Iraq.

He completed his first half marathon - the Great North Run - last year, and has also crossed the finishing line of the Leeds Half Marathon.

Next year, he plans to complete more runs and increase his fundraising total.

He added: "I am now writing next year's letters for collection dates in 2015.

"So far I have entered Virgin London Marathon, Leeds Half Marathon in May, and Edinburgh Half May 30.

"I am also looking to help the York Military Wives choir around next year's Great North Run because my wife is a member."

Combat Stress is the veterans' mental health charity and currently supports more than 5,400 ex-servicemen and women aged 19 to 101.