AN army veteran has been battling turbulent conditions off the Weymouth coast as part of his 322-mile kayaking journey to France to raise money for the Veterans’ Hub Swindon.

Graham Stobbs from central Swindon, encountered stormy conditions as he kayaked along the Jurassic Coast on Monday, causing him to capsize twice and crash into rocks.

The 48-year-old had hoped to move on to Lyme Regis on Tuesday but was unable to follow his planned schedule due to the torrential weather.

Graham is aiming to raise £250,000 to open a place in Swindon for veterans to be given help readjusting to civilian life.

He said: “I’ve a new found respect for the sea. When I set out it was nice and calm, it looked like a mill pond. I rounded the corner of a peninsula and the wind was in the other direction.

“I always thought the water was the problem, but it’s the wind.”

During his stopover in Weymouth, Graham visited the Veterans Hub Weymouth, which is among the good causes set to benefit from the fundraising campaign.

To donate to the Graham’s cause, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/221-mile-kayak