Veterans call for greater support from government

Veterans in the South East are calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham for more support following an open letter that has received more than 50,000 signatures.

The letter, written by charity Help for Heroes and published in August, called for a "generational shift in support", and for the Armed Forces Covenant to be honoured - a pledge stating no-one should be disadvantaged after serving their country.

One veteran, from Bexhill in East Sussex, told the BBC getting the necessary support after leaving the Army was like a "postcode lottery", while another, from Oxshott in Surrey, spoke of the difficulties he had faced since serving in Iraq.

The prime minister's office has been contacted for a response.

The letter told the prime minister: "Many veterans, particularly those injured while serving, are still denied the quality healthcare, financial security and support they need and deserve. We are failing to deliver on this promise."

Gallagher said: "Most of us don't need massive help, but sometimes a little bit of help is just enough to get back on the road and back into normal society."

Gallagher joined the army at 17 after wanting to serve his country since he was a child, and completed a tour in Srebrenica during the massacre in 1995.

"It was really bad," the 54-year-old said, revealing how he had witnessed children killed by bombardments near the camp where he was stationed.

He said he was left with complex PTSD, went on to battle suicidal thoughts and used alcohol to cope.

"There's a problem, especially with the older generation," he said.

"Us men and women were told to man up... so whatever pains and bits and pieces we had, we just got on with it."

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "We want every veteran to access the housing, employment, health, and welfare support they need - when and where they need it."

They added that through the Armed Forces Bill, currently going through Parliament, all parts of government would be legally required to think about what its decisions would mean for service personnel, veterans and their families, before they are taken.

Gallagher said Help for Heroes and East Sussex Veterans' Hub had supported him at his "lowest point", and he was now standing alongside the charity to lobby for better care for veterans.

"It's important that if things happen [after serving], that you get protected by your own government and own country, which has been lacking," he said.

Mark Taylor, from Oxted in Surrey, served in Iraq in 2004 and was also later diagnosed with complex PTSD and also battled suicidal thoughts.

While Taylor credited the charity with saving his life, he said the government needed to help.

"We commit our lives, our core values, our selfless commitment to the country.

"So where is the government's help and support to help us as veterans?", he asked.

The 2021 UK census recorded 53,769 veterans across East Sussex and Surrey, and a study carried out by Help for Heroes last year saw a 30% increase in veterans reaching out for help.

Mark Elliot, chief advocacy ambassador of the charity, hopes that since the open letter had surpassed the original 50,000 signature goal, its plea will be presented to Downing Street.

The letter, with a new goal of 75,000 signatures, calls for better healthcare, financial security and support for UK veterans, stating that these struggles "could be avoided with better policy and practices in place".

Elliot said: "It's just to remind the British public as well that these young men and women may be, in fact, will be, affected by their service.

"And when we come home, we need to look after them properly."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, you will find help and support available on the BBC Action Line pages.

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