A book that brings together the moving and inspirational stories of bravery displayed by 28 recipients of the Victoria Cross (VC) and George Cross (GC) will be supporting veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress.
Published this month, On Courage: Stories of Victoria Cross and George Cross Holders will be donating £2.70 from every sale to Combat Stress, to support the work the charity does to help former servicemen and women with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Stories in the book include accounts of people who risked their lives to defend comrades. Each story is introduced by public figures, from Bear Grylls, Joanna Lumley and Sir Bobby Charlton to Eddie Redmayne, Dame Kelly Holmes and the late Sir Ken Dodd.
The book is from The Sebastopol Project, a charitable endeavour aimed at inspiring the public with the stories of the diverse and courageous acts of men and women awarded the VC and GC.
Robert Marsh, Director Income Generation at Combat Stress, said:
“We’re so grateful to The Sebastopol Project for choosing to support Combat Stress through the sale of On Courage.
“Each year we receive 2,000 referrals from former servicemen and women dealing with trauma-related mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Without amazing fundraisers, we wouldn’t be able to provide this life-changing support.”
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
About On Courage contributors:
Introductions to the stories in the book have been provided by the following public figures: Kate Adie, Alexander Armstrong, Bill Beaumont, Mary Berry, Frank Bruno, Joseph Calleja, Willie Carson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bishop Richard Chartres, Sir Ken Dodd, Lord Julian Fellowes, Dame Katherine Grainger, Will Greenwood, Bear Grylls, Baroness Hale, Miranda Hart, Dame Kelly Holmes, Jeremy Irons, Sir Derek Jacobi, Joanna Kavenna, Joanna Lumley, Margaret MacMillan, Geoffrey Palmer, Mark Pougatch, Eddie Redmayne, John Simpson, Tom Ward, Michael Whitehall and Jack Whitehall.
About The Sebastopol Project
The Sebastopol Project is a charitable endeavour aimed at inspiring the public with stories of the diverse and courageous acts of men and women awarded the Victoria Cross and George Cross. Its ambition is to raise funds for the benefit of current and former members of the British armed forces and their dependents through the publication and sale of On Courage.
