News

Wiltshire fundraiser to run the London Marathon in memory of Afghanistan veteran

A fundraiser from Wiltshire will take part in the London Marathon this year in aid of Combat Stress, after they helped her friend’s son, Marc, before he sadly passed away from a heart condition last year.

Catherine Parfitt decided to support the veterans’ mental health charity after they helped Marc, who had post-traumatic stress disorder following tours of Afghanistan.

Catherine said “Marc was really struggling with his mental health and Combat Stress supported him. If he was still here he would be wanting to raise money to support their work.

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Combat Stress responds to loss of funding from NHS England

By Sue Freeth, Chief Executive, Combat Stress.
Combat Stress’ residential programmes for veterans living with mental health problems are respected around the world. So why is the UK withdrawing £3.2 million in funding from this life saving work?

The recent announcement of our new helpline for those serving in the armed forces is most welcome. So too is NHS England’s investment in specialist mental health community services for veterans. But these services alone are not enough.

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March in March for veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress

Put your best foot forward this March in aid of veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress, as they seek to raise money to meet the staggering increase in demand for their specialist services.

In the last ten years, the number of former servicemen and women with mental health problems who have contacted the charity for treatment has risen by 143% – from 994 in 2006/7 to 2,420 in 2016/17. The NHS, Ministry of Defence and Combat Stress’ own research forecast that demand for veterans’ mental health services will continue to rise over the next decade.

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Former soldier gets fit to take part in nine fundraising challenges in aid of veterans’ mental health

Having lost six stone, a former soldier from Derbyshire will now be taking on nine fundraising challenges in 12 months to raise money for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.

When Paul Thompson left the Army in 2009, he stopped exercising and began drinking heavily. Six years later and weighing 19 stone, he set himself the challenge of taking part in his first duathlon in 2015 to motivate himself to get fit again.

Paul said: “I realised that something needed to change, so I stopped drinking and started training. I lost six stone in 2015 and set myself the challenge of taking part in a duathlon – it really helped me to have a goal to focus on.”

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Great British Bake Off winner Sophie Faldo becomes ambassador for Combat Stress

After baking her way to victory in last year’s Channel 4 Great British Bake Off, winner Sophie Faldo from Surrey is now helping to raise awareness of veterans’ mental health by becoming an ambassador for Combat Stress.

In December last year she visited Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, at their treatment centre in Leatherhead, Surrey, to find out how the charity supports former servicemen and women.

Sophie is a former Army officer and served with the Royal Artillery in Afghanistan.

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Fundraiser follows in the footsteps of his prisoner of war Grandfather to raise money for Combat Stress

A fundraiser from Stoke-on-Trent will be following in the footsteps of his grandfather, by cycling the 760 mile route the prisoner of war took during the Second World War. On 21 February 2018 Martin Palmer and his father Stephen Palmer will start their journey from Poland to Germany to raise funds for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.

“My Grandfather didn’t really speak about World War II, I knew he was a prisoner of war, but it wasn’t until I started researching that I found out what he went through.

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Three military charities come together to relaunch late Army surgeon’s fundraiser for injured veterans

Three military charities are coming together to relaunch the D-Day 44 Challenge, an event first run by Lt Col Mike McErlain, a serving Army surgeon who changed the lives of many injured service personnel for the better.

Mike, his wife Jo and his brother-in-law Giles Barnes set up the run in 2009 but tragically Mike collapsed and died while doing the run himself in 2013. Now with Jo’s blessing the event returns in 2018, the 74th anniversary of the D-Day landings, to continue its important fundraising work, with the three chosen charities being Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, Blind Veterans UK and Combat Stress.

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Combat Stress releases top tips to help former servicemen and women cope with pressure of Christmas

Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, is sharing its tops tips to help former servicemen and women cope with the Christmas and New Year period.

Christmas is a time for celebration, yet it can be difficult for veterans with mental health problems. Some may feel isolated, lonely or depressed, while others can feel overwhelmed by large gatherings of family and friends, or feel they don’t have time for themselves.

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Combat Stress announces TV presenter Neil Oliver as its ambassador in Scotland

Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, has today announced Neil Oliver as an ambassador in Scotland.

The television presenter, archaeologist and author, best known for presenting series such as A History of Scotland, Vikings and Coast, will help the charity to raise awareness of its vital work supporting former servicemen and women with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Neil recently visited Hollybush House, the Combat Stress treatment centre in Ayr, to meet with veterans supported by the charity.

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Fundraiser raises over £2,000 for Combat Stress in memory of her Dad

Fundraiser Peyton Melling was recently named as a finalist for ITV’s Lorraine Inspirational Woman of the Year award for her incredible efforts to raise awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The 23-year-old lost her dad to PTSD after he served in the Army for 25 years. She has since been campaigning tirelessly in his memory, including completing an 82 mile hike for Combat Stress.

“I chose to walk the Great Glen Way because my Dad was a big walker and loved walking in the mountains. I wanted to do something that would be a challenge, so we could earn the money we were raising for Combat Stress.

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By @Cobseo 55 years ago

Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here