Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.  This where you can sponsor me and your donation goes directly to the charity Combat Stress.

I have chosen to raise money for Combat Stress, a charity somewhat overlooked, but so very important.  The British people have known relative peace since the end of WW2, except for those serving in the armed forces, who have been deployed world wide to the front line of many conflicts.  Plus many thousands who have been involved in Northern Ireland during the 30 year long campaign, an operation that has perhaps been one of the most difficult and dangerous of all.  Combat Stress do a brilliant job in helping the men and women of our forces that have been affected by the unseen enemy "trauma"!!  Many of whom contemplate suicide - they survived conflict, so they should not die by their own hand.

This is a charity that I have a close personal experience of and I admire greatly for the work that they carry out.

The Need for Combat Stress in today's world:

All conflicts, without exception, have resulted in psychiatric casualties. And for many who are affected, the problems may take years, perhaps decades to surface.

In over 80 years of operation, the Society has provided some 75,000 veterans of the two World Wars and the many conflicts since with a unique lifeline.  Currently, the Society takes about 700 veterans onto its books each year, the youngest in their early twenties, the oldest in their nineties.  There are people in receipt of help who between them represent service in every campaign which the British Armed services has been engaged from the start of World War 2 to the present day.

The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, Combat Stress, exists to serve these men and women. They have been the only services charity specializing in helping those of all ranks from the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy suffering from psychological disability as a result of their service.

Through the national network of welfare officers, they visit veterans at their homes in order to establish how best to improve their quality of life.

There are also 3 treatment centres, they provide rehabilitative treatment which aims to help the victim cope with his or her disabilities and to enjoy a better quality of life. 

Treatment at any of the centres costs £293.00 per day per person.  These treatment sessions are normally carried out over a 2 week period, the frequency is dependant on the needs of the individuals.  It is therefore my intention to raise enough money to fund at least 1 treatment session for 1 veteran.  That makes my target £4102.00 – obviously I would love to surpass that, but I would be happy to achieve this goal.

I am in training for a sponsored 5km swim to raise money. That is 200 lengths of my local pool.  This will be officially verified.  I will be doing this swim on Saturday 5th December 2009. (Additional events in the planning for this day)

Donating via this page is easy:
Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure and the most efficient way to sponsor me: COMBAT STRESS gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please would you sponsor me now – every penny, cent, euro or whatever you can give will help - THANKS

Helen

Do you need the help of Combat Stress, or do you just want to know more about them - go to  http://www.combatstress.org.uk/

Want to make contact with old friends , or talk to people with a common interst, go to  http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk