Since joining the Always A Rifleman Programme, Leonie Case has uncovered a silent struggle among soldiers, an overwhelming sense of perceived burdensomeness that stops them from seeking support. The longer they serve, the heavier this burden grows, weighing down even the bravest and most experienced of warriors. For those in close combat regiments, this dangerous mindset can have devastating, even fatal, consequences.

Proud soldiers rarely know where to turn. Asking for help feels like weakness, and finding the right person to confide in is a battle in itself. But Leonie knows the answer lies within the family.

She is determined to shift the narrative, to show the service community that when the future feels shrouded in darkness, soldiers must not hesitate to lean on those who love them most, their own children. The unwavering love, resilience, and understanding of a child is a battle winning asset. It is often underestimated, yet it holds the power to heal, galvanise, and defeat thwarted belongingness.

To prove this unbreakable bond, Leonie has launched The Lean on Me Project a powerful initiative that showcases the strength, fortitude, and love that children offer their military parents. As a symbol of this shared resilience, she is calling on servicemen and their children to take on the Tough Mudder challenge alongside her on August 16th 2025, in Badminton, South Gloucestershire.

If you aren’t available to run, please consider offering emotional support with words of encouragement, and your belief that together we can prevent complex PTSD turning into tragedy. Together, we can rewrite the meaning of courage and what it means to be strong.