Royal Navy veteran, Dave Reynolds completed 24 years of service as an Electronic Warfare Specialist, ending his career as a Chief Petty Officer. After leaving the Navy, Dave struggled with his mobility and mental health issues, resulting in PTSD and nightmares; relying on prescriptions drugs to help him sleep. ‘’I was found in a dark place by one of the Help for Heroes officers in 2014/5.  I was really struggling with my mobility and mental health (PTSD) and as such, lost in a world I didn’t know - civvie street.  With the interventions by Help for Heroes over the years I was able to access help and support’’.   

Following Dave’s departure from the Navy, he works as an Auditor covering Naval training across the UK and lives in Plymouth with his wife of 41 years. Dave is a proud Ambassador and volunteer for Help for Heroes, sharing his story and helping to fundraise for veterans and their families. ‘’As an Ambassador I am able to tell my story of recovery, which only happened with the support and compassion of Help for Heroes.  In doing so, hopefully I can enlighten people how much support Help for Heroes needs to continue doing this work, and to show we need to continue fundraising to support the charity. I am proud to stand up as a Help for Heroes volunteer, doing all I can to raise awareness and funding when I can’’. 

Dave proudly models our new Armed Forces Day T-Shirt design, which he also helped design, collaborating with our Trading designer. ‘’I wanted to try and help create something that would appeal to everyone and hopefully it will sell well and support Help for Heroes’’.

To anyone shopping from Help for Heroes, Dave says,’’ Thank you! My story is only a very small part of the help that Help for Heroes has given and still offer to all serving and veterans. Every penny helps the charity do some good for those that have served the country and now need support’’.

Shop the Armed Forces Day T-Shirt here >>

“Without Help for Heroes my history would read very different than it does today.  Thanks to their support, I and my family have a much happier future to look forward to’’.