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Wales Online
5 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
The man who has changed the lives of hundreds and built something extraordinary
The man who has changed the lives of hundreds and built something extraordinary Like many who have experienced the front lines of conflict, Paul Bromwell returned with invisible wounds Paul Bromwell developed post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the Falklands (Image: Valley Veterans ) Paul Bromwell was just 18 years old when he returned home to the Rhondda after four months of harrowing service in the Falklands War. The burden he carried was far heavier than his years. "I was one of the youngest men on the special unit out there," Paul recalls. "I should never have been doing what I was doing. When I think about my kids at 18 - doing what I was doing - in the dead of night, going out to find the enemy in the freezing cold - carrying nine stone on our backs, days where we hadn't eaten... I don't know how we did it. No one does." Like many who have experienced the front lines of conflict, Paul returned with invisible wounds. Post-traumatic stress disorder took hold, amplified by the crushing weight of survivors' guilt. "Part of my PTSD is survivors guilt - I lost so many friends, boys that I'd see going to and from my camp, boys who'd jump in the car with me - suddenly they weren't there no more. It breaks my heart." The road to healing was neither short nor easy. However, a turning point came during a two-week treatment with Combat Stress in Shropshire. "I was going through a bad time, I was under treatment with Combat Stress up in Shropshire for a fortnight. There, I went away horse trekking and it helped me so much that when I came home, I bought a horse. Article continues below "On the days that I couldn't sleep, I'd be up on the mountain with my horse and it would calm me down. "I haven't looked back since. From that point, I have actually had about 70 horses... not bad!" Paul believes in the healing qualities of being outside and doing something whether it be horse riding or gardening (Image: Valley Veterans ) Out of one man's struggle grew Valley's Veterans - a now thriving veteran-led support organisation that has transformed lives across Wales. Paul first began informally helping a few friends by building stables in his own garden. "I was running it from my home in the beginning; I had actually built the stables in my garden." Word spread quickly. "Couple of my mates told me that they were having a hard time so I asked them to give me a hand with the horses. I just thought if this is working for me that it will help others. "We have gone from a couple of lads, to seeing about 250 to 300 members from across Wales over the last 20 years. They come from everywhere - from as far as Newport, Merthyr and Bridgend." Today, Valley Veterans is a vital hub that offers equine therapy, horticultural activities, social events and weekly support sessions. The group now supports more than 140 active participants and has links to support agencies, mental health organisations, and advocacy groups. "We have had children up here with [additional] needs... It's not just people who suffered from PTSD. "There are obviously those who have served, we have members in their nineties and you wouldn't believe how many youngsters. However, there are also civilians from the community that come here for breakfast with the boys. "I'd say, around 90% of our group are veterans and the other 10% are from the community. We would never turn anyone away, everyone is welcome. There is that feeling of camaraderie here." That camaraderie, Paul explains, is life-saving. "It's a brotherhood. If anyone is down, we're here to pick them back up." Get the latest Rhondda news first by signing up to our newsletter here Returning home from war is a disorientating experience, Paul shares. "When you come back from duty, you feel as though you don't belong at home anymore. Everything has changed when you come home - your mates have gotten married, people have disappeared to different jobs - life has moved on." Yet through Valley Veterans, Paul has created a place where no one has to feel left behind. "After being with me for six months I have had some go back to work. They came to understand that they haven't been dropped and being apart of something again has been a world of difference. They have a purpose again." Veterans meeting up at the Valley Veterans hub (Image: Valley Veterans ) One powerful example of the impact: "Just this week, one of the boys told me that he hasn't been in a good place. He was out in Iraq, then he went out to Afghanistan. "Being home he wasn't having any luck because he was on the sick, he felt pushed away, like he wasn't getting anywhere. "Now, I have people here who are doing all the paperwork for him and he has just had three years of back pay. You should've seen his face - he felt like he has done something worthwhile. He was chuffed!" The hub offers everything from a Thursday breakfast club at Ton Pentre Community Centre that attracts up to 60 veterans weekly, to Wednesday morning paperwork sessions and daily access to gardening and equine therapy. "The way we are set up now - it has taken us years to get there, but honestly it's getting better and better," he said. This healing environment is bolstered by the support from outside agencies like MIND, Adferiad's Change Step, and local charities. Sian Sexton, money advice advocate for MIND said, "We are here building relationship, doing the groundwork and providing consistency. We are able to provide practical face-to-face help for people such as filling in forms when they need it and how they need it so they can access help more easily and more quickly.' Stephen Sullivan, strategic pathways development officer at Adferiad Change Step added: "I use this hub on a weekly basis and I bring in other projects – it's all about collaboration and networking and making the referral pathways easier." The difference Paul has made has not gone unnoticed. For the first 15 years, he funded the work himself - re-mortgaging his home to buy land for the stables. Now after two decades of tireless commitment, he's been recognised with one of Wales's highest honours: the Community Champion at the St David's Awards, presented at the Senedd by First Minister Eluned Morgan. While this is something Paul is very proud of, he says it is not what he set out to do. "I have been invited to the Palace a few times, I have been made the King's Champion - one of 19 chosen - and now the Community Champion... it's bonkers! But honestly, I don't do things for that. "I help myself by helping others. All the goodness I have given to other people has come back and helped myself, that's the truth of it." Paul strongly believes in the healing power of being outside - with horses, in gardens and among people who understand. "I think gardening and being out on the horses - things like that - help veterans because it's a natural thing for us to be outdoors. "Some lock themselves away in the house - I have seen guys that would only come out to see us one day a week and then wouldn't come back out the rest of the week. A couple of months down the line though, after spending time with the horses they begin to get that need to be back out more and more - there's that thirst for freedom. "Being outside has been a game changer for many of the people that come here – it could be working in the gardening, mucking out the stables or grooming the horses... the benefits are clear to see." The Valley Veterans has seen various changes over the years, helping close to 300 veterans across the country (Image: Valley Veterans ) Indeed, veterans like Gary Pethig, 64, Stephen Roberts, 55, and Des Sparey, 79, credit Valley Veterans with giving them their lives back. Gary from Gelli, who served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, shared: "This group has changed my life – it has literally been a godsend for me because without it I'd just be sitting at home watching television - instead I come here and have made lots of new friends. "I get practical face-to-face help from various organisations who help me fill in all sorts of paperwork which otherwise I would find very difficult or impossible to complete by myself online or over the phone – and this means I can access the help that I need and am entitled to. "I also enjoy getting outside by going outside into the garden and growing crops." Stephen who lives in Williamstown, served in the Royal Engineers. He now works for the Welsh Blood Service. He added: "I first came here six years ago as I was struggling with PDSD, I'd shut myself away from society and was struggling to get out. "I knew about this place but I didn't have the guts to come up here until eventually I arranged to meet someone here that I knew and have been coming ever since. "I have met a brilliant bunch of friends that I'm close to and have had support off them ever since. It has changed my life, I was withdrawn from society before but coming up and spending time here and socialising has helped me hugely and I can now go out to social events such as birthday celebrations and fundraisers that I wasn't able to before." For many like Gary and Stephen, the sense of connection and belonging is transformative. Caerphilly local and veteran of the the Welch Regiment, Des, went on to say: "This group has changed my life totally, without it I'd be lost. There is nothing better than coming up and talking to the guys here - I love it and won't be without it. There are charities here that will help you if you have problems with things like healthcare, your finances or even finding somewhere to live." This is what it's all about for Paul - seeing lives changed, friendships formed and purpose restored. Paul is up at 6am everyday, often riding into the hills before most people have even stirred. "This is seven days a week from me... I still have my own issues and it really does help me. I used to be able to never talk about it but now I talk about it with everyone and anything." For many, the world after service can feel like a place that no longer cares. But Paul Bromwell has built something extraordinary: a place where that isn't true. "It's awful when no one else understands. No one asks for any different, but some people go through the mill and wonder why they did what they did for their country when no one gives a damn. "People think no one cares when they come out - people take it for granted. But, when someone needs help, we are always here – it's never that dark place with no-one to help, there's always somebody here." Article continues below
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Tesco veteran takes on 500 mile challenge for Combat Stress
An RAF veteran is walking and cycling from Edinburgh to Welwyn Garden City in just 15 days to raise money and awareness of mental health – all while carrying a 3kg medicine ball. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Chris McDowell, 39, a maintenance technician at Tesco, is taking on the 500 mile challenge to highlight the struggles veterans face after leaving the forces. Fundraising for veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress, he will walk the majority of the way but has added three cycling legs to up the difficulty. He starts on June 11th and will average 36 miles a day stopping at 19 Tesco stores along the way to talk to colleagues about their own mental health before arriving at Tesco headquarters in Welwyn Garden City on Armed Forces Day (June 25th). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chris, who served for 20 years in the RAF, said: 'Having faced my own mental health challenges, this is something I feel really passionate about. Combat Stress has been a tremendous support for so many veterans. I wanted to raise some vital funds for them while also raising awareness with my Tesco colleagues. The route Chris is completing is 500 miles across the UK. 'The medicine ball represents the mental health burden that's not always seen but always felt. And just as I'll carry it mile after mile, veterans can carry those struggles long after their service has ended. 'It's going to be a huge test but I'm looking forward to meeting people along the way and hearing their stories.' Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: 'We are immensely grateful to Chris for undertaking this mammoth challenge to not only raise much-needed funds for Combat Stress but increase awareness of the importance of seeking mental health support. I hope Chris' efforts inspire more people to initiate conversations about mental health. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'At Combat Stress we provide the most comprehensive veteran mental health treatment service in the UK, but we couldn't be there for the veterans who seek our help without remarkable people like Chris.' Chris is taking on the 500 mile challenge to highlight the struggles veterans face after leaving the forces. Tesco is the largest private sector employer of veterans and Chris is part of its Armed Forces Network which gives support to members of the armed forces community. Chair of the network Rhys Little said: 'We're incredibly proud of Chris and have seen the tremendous dedication he's put into training for this epic challenge. Our Armed Forces Network is a place for members of the armed forces community to come together and share experiences and raise awareness. We'll be cheering him along the way but can't wait to see him arrive at Welwyn Garden City for a well-earned rest.' Chris begins his journey from Tesco's Corstorphine Extra store, in Edinburgh, on June 11th and will stop at 19 stores in two weeks. From Edinburgh, he travels south taking in Dalkeith and Galashiels. He'll then cross the border into the north east of England by bike making his way to Consett. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From there he walks on to stores in Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe and then stops in at Catterick Garrison superstore before another cycle leg over to Roundhay and then back on foot to Seacroft, Garforth and Pontefract. Then the toughest leg of the challenge takes him to Dinnington walking for over 9 hours. Moving out of Yorkshire he'll walk to Worksop and then cycle 58 miles to Melton Mowbray. Before getting back on his feet and stopping at Oakham, Corby and Kettering. The final three days see him stopping in Bedford and Flitwick before he finally arrives in Welwyn Garden City at Tesco HQ, Shire Park, on June 25th.
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Tesco veteran takes on 500 mile challenge for Combat Stress
An RAF veteran is walking and cycling from Edinburgh to Welwyn Garden City in just 15 days to raise money and awareness of mental health – all while carrying a 3kg medicine ball. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... An RAF veteran is walking and cycling from Edinburgh to Welwyn Garden City in just 15 days to raise money and awareness of mental health – all while carrying a 3kg medicine ball. Chris McDowell, 39, a maintenance technician at Tesco, is taking on the 500 mile challenge to highlight the struggles veterans face after leaving the forces. Fundraising for veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress, he will walk the majority of the way but has added three cycling legs to up the difficulty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He starts on June 11th and will average 36 miles a day stopping at 19 Tesco stores along the way to talk to colleagues about their own mental health before arriving at Tesco headquarters in Welwyn Garden City on Armed Forces Day (June 25th). The route Chris will be completing is 500 miles across the UK. Chris, who served for 20 years in the RAF, said: 'Having faced my own mental health challenges, this is something I feel really passionate about. Combat Stress has been a tremendous support for so many veterans. I wanted to raise some vital funds for them while also raising awareness with my Tesco colleagues. 'The medicine ball represents the mental health burden that's not always seen but always felt. And just as I'll carry it mile after mile, veterans can carry those struggles long after their service has ended. 'It's going to be a huge test but I'm looking forward to meeting people along the way and hearing their stories.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: 'We are immensely grateful to Chris for undertaking this mammoth challenge to not only raise much-needed funds for Combat Stress but increase awareness of the importance of seeking mental health support. I hope Chris' efforts inspire more people to initiate conversations about mental health. Chris is taking on the 500 mile challenge to highlight the struggles veterans face after leaving the forces. 'At Combat Stress we provide the most comprehensive veteran mental health treatment service in the UK, but we couldn't be there for the veterans who seek our help without remarkable people like Chris.' Tesco is the largest private sector employer of veterans and Chris is part of its Armed Forces Network which gives support to members of the armed forces community. Chair of the network Rhys Little said: 'We're incredibly proud of Chris and have seen the tremendous dedication he's put into training for this epic challenge. Our Armed Forces Network is a place for members of the armed forces community to come together and share experiences and raise awareness. We'll be cheering him along the way but can't wait to see him arrive at Welwyn Garden City for a well-earned rest.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chris begins his journey from Tesco's Corstorphine Extra store, in Edinburgh, on June 11th and will stop at 19 stores in two weeks. From Edinburgh, he travels south taking in Dalkeith and Galashiels. He'll then cross the border into the north east of England by bike making his way to Consett. From there he walks on to stores in Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe and then stops in at Catterick Garrison superstore before another cycle leg over to Roundhay and then back on foot to Seacroft, Garforth and Pontefract. Then the toughest leg of the challenge takes him to Dinnington walking for over 9 hours. Moving out of Yorkshire he'll walk to Worksop and then cycle 58 miles to Melton Mowbray. Before getting back on his feet and stopping at Oakham, Corby and Kettering. The final three days see him stopping in Bedford and Flitwick before he finally arrives in Welwyn Garden City at Tesco HQ, Shire Park, on June 25th. You can donate to Chris' fundraising here:
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Bathgate-based charity members attend Scottish Veterans Awards
The forces and veterans charity ASA Scotland is celebrating 10 years of voluntary work across Scotland. Bathgate-based veterans charity ASA Scotland attended the Scottish Veterans Awards at Prestonfield House. The charity was a finalist in this years awards. The forces and veterans charity is celebrating 10 years of voluntary work across Scotland. Charity ambassador Major Donnie Harris said: 'As a serving soldier I am honoured to be supporting this fantastic charity, what they have achieved can be measured by their outcomes over the 10 years, it is phenomenal. 'Could I begin by congratulating our fantastic secretary Tommy Davidson who was recognised at the Awards, he received the Bronze Award 2015 for Volunteer of the Year, he was also a finalist in The Community Award. 'Tommy inspires us all and is the beating heart of the charity, a humble veteran who works day and night for the charity. 'Supporting veterans is important to the ASA Scotland, over the years they have raised vital funds for Combat Stress, Poppyscotland, Soldiers Off The Street whilst donating to individual veterans. 'The charity have commissioned remembrance memorials across Scotland to those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice, there are also memorials to those who served and have since passed, they have also organised many events that are inclusive to all. 'The educational work of the charity is brilliant, teaching the history and heritage of our Armed Forces that shaped our Nation whilst also teaching remembrance and what it means to us all, and those who serve. 'The charity inspires young people in the class room to achieve their dreams, we really need this now across the Nation, children now understand that freedom is not free, they now understand this from what has happened to Ukraine. 'As we come together as a nation let us not forget the sacrifices made during WW2, on VE Day 80 or Victory Day remember those who made it home and those who sacrificed everything for us, should that day come again, I will do my duty with my brothers and sisters.' On Thursday, May 8, the charity, in partnership with Bathgate Community Council, have invited the town to come to the Steelyard to celebrate and commemorate VE Day.
