''HELP FOR HEROES & YOUR SUPPORT SAVED MY LIFE''. - MEET VETERAN, GARY.
RAF veteran, Gary features in our newly launched Winter catalogue, where he shares his story following his medical discharge and the support he received from Help for Heroes to find purpose again.
Read more about Gary...
Your support helps veterans like Gary. After 31 years military service, he was medically discharged from the RAF following open-heart surgery.
Leaving the military made Gary feel isolated and depressed. To make matters worse, his untreated PTSD was raging.
Unable to cope, Gary planned to take his own life.
“What I saw and did in my time in service hit me like a freight train.
“It felt like my friends and comrades disappeared overnight. I lost my self-esteem and sense of purpose.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had bills to pay, and a family look after.”
Seeing Gary struggle with his mental health worried his family. Reaching his lowest point, Gary contacted us. Thanks to your support, Gary got the help he needed.
We provided him with financial, physical, and mental health support. We also helped his wife and son, because when a loved one suffers, if affects the whole family.
Gary also found a new sense of purpose when we helped him apply to university and connected him with the Charity’s choir, which helps him manage his mental health.
“Everyone in the choir knows the struggles of being a veteran. By coming together and singing, we support each other – it’s a safe space.
“I’ve found friends for life. It feels so good to be part of a community who understands. I have purpose again.”
