Combat Stress backs Debt Of Honour campaign (From York Press)

Combat Stress backs Debt Of Honour campaign

7:44am Thursday 24th September 2009

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A group which helps victims cope with with the terrible psychological impact of war has thrown its weight behind The Press’s quest to ensure our troops are repaid for their bravery.

Combat Stress – the main UK provider of help for servicemen and women whose duty has left a legacy of mental trauma – is backing our Debt Of Honour campaign, as it continues to gather pace.

About 700 readers have already signed our petition calling for those whose lives have been wrecked by serving their country to be fully and properly compensated and treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, politicians from all parties and the Royal British Legion are also among our supporters – and now Combat Stress has praised our campaign as a vehicle for highlighting how war leaves behind shattered minds as well as bodies.

“We are incredibly supportive of The Press’s campaign and hope it will help to highlight the psychological trauma caused by war,” said James Allen, one of the charity’s Yorkshire ambassadors.

He is also a former medic, who spent 14 years in the Army and served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Sierra Leone, among other places, before being medically discharged with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“There is a lot of support and help for servicemen and women who have suffered physical injury, but less recognition of broken minds.

“Whatever can be done to raise awareness of this is important, and the media have a big role to play, so we are happy to support Debt of Honour,” he said.

Combat Stress hoped to have raised about £6,000 from a charity fundraising night which took place this week at the David Lloyd Leisure centre in Hull Road, York, which saw local businesses compete against each other in a strategy board game called Leverage, and also donate promises of their services to be auctioned off.

You can support Debt of Honour's aims by adding your name to the petition.

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