Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health has been announced as the official 2018 charity partner of the Ayr Running Festival.
The partnership aims to encourage supporters to take part in either the 10k or 5k race on 29 August 2018 to raise vital funds for the charity. Both routes, which start at the Citadel Leisure Centre, pass beautiful scenery and are suitable for all abilities.
Robert Marsh, Director Income Generation at Combat Stress said:
“We’re pleased to announce our partnership with the Ayr running festival for 2018.
“Each year we receive 2,000 referrals from former servicemen and women with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“It’s vital that we raise awareness and funds for the charity so we can continue to support every veteran that comes to us for help, the Ayr running festival is a great way for us to do this.
“With our treatment centre, Hollybush House, being in Ayr, this is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of Combat Stress. Having the support of the public makes a huge difference to us, it would be fantastic for the community to get behind the charity and take part in this event.”
John Lloyd, Race Director and Founder of Cannonball Events said:
“We are delighted to have such a fantastic charity partner for this year’s event.
“It’s Cannonball Events’ intention to help Combat Stress raise funds and awareness so they can continue to be there for every veteran who contacts the charity for help.
“There are lots of ways you can get involved and help the charity. Whether you’re running and raising money for Combat Stress, sponsoring someone to run, or making a donation at the event – every penny will go a long way to ensuring the charity can continue to provide life-changing treatment.”
To take part please visit cannonballevents.co.uk/ayr-running-festival
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Combat Stress
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
For almost a century, we’ve helped former servicemen and women deal with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Over the past five years (2012 to 2017) we have seen an average of more than 2,000 referrals each year. Demand for our services continues to grow – we have seen a 143% increase in referrals from ten years ago.
On average it takes 12 years after leaving the military for veterans to contact Combat Stress for help, by which time their condition is often highly complex. However, veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts are coming to Combat Stress much sooner (three and four years respectively).
To help veterans rebuild their lives, we provide a range of free services:
- Short-stay clinical treatment at our treatment centres
- A specialist Intensive Treatment Programme – delivered at our treatment centres
- Community Teams – providing treatment and practical support to veterans. Last year our regional community teams undertook almost 5,400 face-to-face appointments
- Outpatients – assessment by psychiatrists and psychologists – at our treatment centres and in the community – enables us to diagnose, define and deliver the treatment veterans require
- Occupational therapy – delivered at our treatment centres and in the community, we use meaningful and creative activity to encourage hope, wellbeing and recovery
- Peer Support Service – Led by veterans for veterans, it’s the first UK-wide service of its kind for those with mental health problems. The service enables them to share their experiences, receive support and socialise with others with similar experiences.
- Substance Misuse Case Management Service – helping veterans to access the services for their drug and alcohol problems so their mental health issues can be addressed
- We have a 24-hour Helpline available to veterans and their families (0800 138 1619) and to serving personnel and their families (0800 323 4444)
Useful links
Our website: combatstress.org.uk
On Twitter: @CombatStress
On Facebook: facebook.com/CombatStress
On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/combat-stress
