Event: Red Devils sponsored parachute jump

Date: Tuesday May 18^th 2010

Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire

 

On the 18th May 2010, I will be raising money for the NGVFA (national Gulf Veterans and families association) to take a 13,000 foot plunge out of a perfectly good plane with the Red Devils alongside 11 other volunteers.

 

NGVFA

The association was established in 1995 in Manchester by a group of ill Gulf veterans; it then became a registered charity in 1996. After returning from Op Granby (Gulf War 1 - 1990-1991), those veterans developed illnesses and could not understand why. After telling their stories in local and national newspapers, they began to realise how wide-spread and common these problems were amongst Gulf Veterans.

Hundreds of other ex-service personnel experiencing similar if not identical health problems began contacting those veterans and the need for a central point of contact became apparent. However, it soon became clear that the overwhelming workload was having a detrimental effect on the health of the veterans running the charity.

In 1998 the administration and management of the charity moved to Hull, where it was put on a more professional business footing with staff and office premises. The Board of Trustees, most of whom are veterans, help ensure that veterans of desert conflicts and their families, partners and carers are at the heart of all we do. Day to day management and administration is undertaken by 6 members of staff and a small number of dedicated volunteers.

Thousands of service personnel were deployed in both the Gulf Conflicts with many more in the current ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Many returning home develop health or social problems, requiring support from the NGVFA.

There are 8000+ ill Gulf War Veterans claiming a war pension from Gulf War 1, and over 2000+ from Op Telic 2003-2009 (Gulf War 2 (Iraq)) (Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA) April 2009). The need for the charity to remain and help these individuals and their families grows with each day.

Our Mission

The charity’s mission is :

• To enhance and improve the quality of the day-to-day lives of all veterans of desert conflicts and their families, partners and carers, through support, information, advocacy and counselling.

• To provide a safe haven for veterans of desert conflicts and their families, partners and carers to be able to talk about the impact their service has had on their lives.

• To educate and provide information for the public and health care professionals to assist and improve the support and health care provided for veterans of desert conflicts and their families, partners and carers.

 

Dave's Story
"Things will never be normal for me again..."

Dave McGough served as a medic in Gulf War 2 (Iraq). His story is typical of many we hear; the NGVFA is here to help and support people suffering like Dave as a result of their service in recent desert conflicts.

Five years ago when I was 21, I was a medic in Iraq treating casualties with horrific injuries, they’d scream out for loved ones, knowing they weren’t going to make it was hell for me. What affected me the most though was a little girl aged 9, Rohan, who we gave water and chocolate to, she was hung by a crowd because of this, we had no choice but to stand by, it was a really hard call and the guilt will never leave me, never.

When I came home I was a mess, physically and mentally, depression kicked in and I was so angry, having flashbacks, screaming, I was terrified and would hide under the bed. I scrubbed myself with a scourer in a bath of bleach until I bled because I still saw blood on me from Iraq. My whole life was affected, I was so messed up I even tried to kill myself.

At my lowest point I heard about the NGVFA, I went to their annual respite break and met others from Gulf conflicts who were suffering just like me; for the first time I felt believed and hopeful. I got the help that I needed. I saw a counsellor with experience of military PTSD, got help with war pensions and benefits, and advice from Doctors. That was four years ago now and since then I have used many of the vital services the NGVFA provide, my life has improved dramatically.

Things will never be normal for me again, what I saw in Iraq left me physically and mentally scarred, but without the NGVFA behind me, things would have been a lot worse, they’ve made a big difference to me and my family, without them I may not have been here, I certainly wouldn’t have my wonderful partner or my two wonderful children they’re 5 and 2 now. Life is still hard but I know the NGVFA are there to support us, they are just on the other end of a phone 24hrs a day, and they were a lifeline when I needed it most.

 

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