Councillors gearing up for fundraising challenge to support military mental health charity

Councillor Kelvin Wright, who is the council’s Armed Forces Champion, and Armed Forces Advocate, Councillor David Clark, are supporting Combat Stress by taking on the organisation’s 100 Miles in May challenge.

They will be completing a series of walks throughout the month around Nottinghamshire, to showcase its military history and links, to raise money for the charity, which helps former serviceman and women deal with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cllr Wright, who joined the Royal Army Medical Corps Reserves at the height of the campaign in Afghanistan and is Specialist and Head of Service in Critical Care at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, said: “Combat Stress is a fantastic charity and provides incredible levels of support to help men and women recover from mental health problems resulting from their experiences in the military.

“People react to deployments very differently and some of the health issues they suffer from do not surface until many years after an event they’ve witnessed or experienced.

“It is a cause close to my heart, and why wouldn’t it be? It is for servicemen and women who have given their all who are having a tough time with their mental health, and we should do whatever we can do to help.

“Combat Stress has been very helpful to me in relation to a patient I once treated in A&E, so I recognise the need for it from my own experience.

“I think it’s a great charity to support and by taking part in this challenge marries up with the work we are doing to support Nottinghamshire’s Armed Forces community, especially our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

Cllr Clark, who is a former Royal Marine Commando, serving in 40 Commando Group, 42 Commando Group and Comachio Group, said he is looking forward to raising funds for such a good cause.

He said: “As an Armed Forces Advocate for Nottinghamshire County Council, it is a privilege to represent the men and women who have served our country with such distinction and, by taking part in this charity challenge, I hope I’ll be playing a small part in giving something back to the brave members of our military community – both past and present.

“Combat Stress is a very important charity which does fantastic work for the many veterans in Nottinghamshire and beyond who continue to suffer from a number of battlefield and operational-related issues.

“It will be an honour to do 100 Miles in May, and I cannot wait to raise as much money as possible for our country’s servicemen and women.”

To donate, visit  Combat Stress - Kelvin Wright and Combat Stress - David Clark.

For more information about Combat Stress, go to Mental health services for veterans | Combat Stress.

Here are more details about the work the county council carries out to support Nottinghamshire’s Armed Forces community.