AFGHANISTAN war veteran Chris Wood enlisted the help of Falmouth-based charity Turn to Starboard after struggling to cope with "survivor guilt".

The army reservist returned home after suffering an alarming and inexplicable dip in his health and fitness while serving in 2011.

"I went to Afghanistan as a very, very fit 40 year-old, but I became very unfit, very quickly. I had to come back to the UK after I only six days, where I was diagnosed with double pneumonia and pleurisy, but while I was home, a soldier who I called son and who called me dad, was lost."

Lieutenant Daniel Clack, aged 24, was killed by a roadside bomb in Helmand province on Friday, August 12, 2011.

He had been due to return home for two weeks' rest on the following Thursday - instead, it was the day of his funeral.

"I took his death very hard - the fact that I wasn't there for him, that I wasn't able to try and help. I had survivor guilt and suffered from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and depression," said Chris, aged 51.

"Three years ago I went through a very bleak, dark patch. I became involved with Turn to Starboard and as soon as I started, I knew it was helping me straight away."

Chris, who owns PDQ estate agency in Helston, is from a strong sailing family.

"It's in my blood so it was a very natural thing to get involved with Turn to Starboard. When we're on a trip, it's just a small group of people who go along to make things work.

"It's a comfort zone for us to work in - one chap would spend three or fours at a time in a cabin on his own, but by the end of the trip he was out on deck chatting to everyone," said Chris, who lives in Connor Downs, near Hayle.

He originally joined the Territorial Army from 1986 until 2001, before "joining by accident" again in 2009.

Turn to Starboard helps Armed Forces personnel and their families "make the right turn".

Squadron Leader Shaun Pascoe, who set up the charity, said: "We believe there is something immeasurable about seeing the world from the sea.

"Sailing promotes a can-do attitude, a sense of well-being and camaraderie amongst all who participate."