A Lincolnshire veteran is asking people in the county to send messages of support this Christmas to veterans who are struggling with physical and mental challenges.
Last Christmas, thousands of people sent messages of hope to isolated veterans, as part of a campaign by Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes. For some it was the only card they received that year, and, for others, it was a powerful reminder of their service and the support that is still out there.
These small acts of kindness encouraged some veterans to reach out for life-changing support. This year, the Charity has seen requests for support surging by 54 per cent* and is looking to encourage more members of the public to reach even more veterans with messages of support and encouragement.
David Morris, 45, from Ruskington, served in the RAF for 22 years and was diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder following an incident, in 2011, while serving as a survival equipment specialist with the Red Arrows. Such was the effect of the illness, that David said he was “scared of his own shadow” and “didn’t even want to leave the house”.
He has been supported by Help for Heroes since 2017, when he applied for Sydney’s Invictus Games, in which he competed. He was then a proud vice-captain of Team UK for the delayed 2020 Invictus Games, which took place at The Hague in 2022.
He has seen the impact of loneliness and isolation on former colleagues and said: “During military service, men and women have a strong support network and a close-knit community, but transitioning to civilian life can destroy that.
“Coupled with physical and mental health issues, which can prevent them from socialising, Christmas can become a time filled with dread rather than a celebration.”
He continued: “It is important veterans are not forgotten, particularly at this time, between Remembrance and the new year. Remembrance provides us the opportunity to honour their sacrifices and contributions.
“And not forgetting the veterans of today at Christmas is also important. They have served their country and its people, often enduring immense personal and emotional challenges, to protect freedoms and ensure peace.
“Sending a message of hope at Christmas also helps highlight ongoing issues, such as veterans’ mental health, homelessness, and access to resources, which are critical to address. Remembering veterans is not just about their past service but committing to their present and future wellbeing.”
Lincolnshire is home to around 60,000 veterans* and David believes there are more in the county who could be helped by Help for Heroes.
He added: “I know from last year that receiving messages from Help for Heroes supporters made a massive difference to some people and showed there are people out there who care. It also encouraged veterans to come forward and get support. And that’s as important now as it ever was.”
Anyone who wants to get involved can simply post a message on the on-line Message Wall, from where Christmas cards with messages of support were sent to more than 9,500 veterans last year.
Help for Heroes supports veterans and their families, from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces. The Charity remains at the side of veterans who are struggling, providing life-changing support for as long as it takes.
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