As some of you know, I was "diagnosed" with PTSD earlier this year. Before then, it was something that I had heard of, but never really actually thought about.

Without going into lots of horrible details for me, it started with being unable to sleep, and if I did manage to get to sleep it was in blocks of no more than an hour. Then I started seeing things that weren't there.

Being a stubborn male, I put my head down and pretended it wasn't a thing. But it didn't take long before Mrs V saw through my fake smile and pretend laughs and made me talk to someone... and by "made" I mean physically went with me to make sure I talked and didn't just bat it off.

Talking was genuinely one of the hardest things I've done and felt like going through events again. But I'm so glad that I did.

Although it has cost me a lot, someone having the awareness to recognise it in me early and being able to get help meant that it has almost certainly prevented further damage to both me and those around me.

One in five police officers and staff have symptoms of PTSD or complex PTSD. However, two-thirds of those affected are unaware.

To raise money for PTSD999, I am holding a raffle. I am asking for £10 per donation. For each donation of £10, you will get a number. On the 1st January 2025, all the numbers will be put into a random number generator, and the winner will receive a full interior & exterior vehicle valet worth over £100.