The scars of the wounded coming home from Afghanistan are plain for all to see. But some return with injuries that remain unseen and unknown until, perhaps many years later, the bottom falls out of their world as the result of what they've been through. This happened to one of the sailors serving in HMS NOTTINGHAM when I was captain - the dark, the noise and the chaos of adamage control exercise produced vivid flash-backs to the Falklands War some 13 years earlier when he was nearly trapped in HMS COVENTRY as she sank. Within 6 months his life spiralled out of control. This is where Combat Stress comes in, helping people like him to face the demons of their service-related mental illnesses such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and helping them to rebuild their lives.
Lucy and I have supported Combat Stress since I was "down South" in the Falklands War. Victims from that conflict are still coming forward, and the victims of Iraq and Afghanistan will be around for many years longer. The stress of preparing for this, my first half marathon, will evaporate on Sunday 21 March - for the victims of PTSD it just goes on unless they find Combat Stress. Please help me ensure that when my stress levels return to normal I have something worthwhile to show for it. £1500 will pay for a whole week's care at a Combat Stress treatment centre ... please dig deep and donate now. Thank You.
