A Veteran is much more than someone who has put on a uniform.
A Veteran is someone who signed on the line and agreed to risk EVERYTHING to serve our country and the people who live in it. A Veteran faces the very real prospect of life-changing injury or even death. Many know that when their time in service is over, they have another battle to fight to become a ‘civvy’. Yet, there are over 5 million Veterans in the UK. More than 5 million people who ave shown that exceptional courage and dedication.
Being a soldier, sailor or airman is a very brave action indeed. These are people who are owed more than our nation can give, in our opinion……..
So when a Veteran needs support and help, they should be given that support as quickly and as easily as possible. No delays. No red-tape. No hassle. If someone has a need for mobility equipment for example, the provision of that equipment will undoubtedly enhance the individual’s life bringing more comfort or independence and potentially prolonging life in some cases. The speed in which those provisions can be made has a huge impact on the changes it will bring.
One case in point is former soldier Gairent Evans. Gairent served his country and has dealt with more than his fair share of problems. He suffers from a terribly debilitating back problem that has now put him in a wheelchair permanently and he also has respiratory and stomach problems too. He rarely complains!
Gairent has been finding it increasingly difficult to get in and out of his bed each day and has to rely on assistance from carers and his loving wife, Rye who herself has back problems. Gairent had made enquiries about any available options that may help ease this problem. Needless to say the answer he got was not satisfactory!
He then approached The Veterans Charity having been connected with us through social networking site Facebook for a while. He explained the problem and it was immediately obvious that the provision of a profiling, orthopaedic, dual mattress bed would make a huge impact to Gairent and Rye’s lives. The problem being that custom-made orthopaedic beds are often thousands of pounds and can take many weeks to have built and delivered.
So, we instantly began researching suitable bed types and manufacturers and then negotiating to ensure the money donated to us and raised by our supporters was being put to the maximum possible usage. After a day of hard searching we had managed to secure a deal with a company that supplied exactly what was needed and they even gave us a superb £350 discount! (thank you Laybrook!)
After a quick financial assessment (look in the bank and make sure we’ve got the money! well…. almost that simple) we placed the order and we are delighted that less than 3 weeks after the initial discussions with Gairent, his bed was delivered and installed by a mobility engineer yesterday!
We would like to wish Gairent and Rye more comfort and a much easier start and finish to each day. We would also like to thank everyone who has given to us and made things like this possible. Please keep giving so we can help more amazing people like Gairent!
Gairent has sleepful nights and easier movement to look forward to!
Gairent Evans
10/11/2011
A Big thank you to everyone who supports Veterans Charity and also VC themselves. You have all made our lives easer. I would Also say a big thank you to Laybrook who not only acted swiftly but also with care, and professionally. The gentleman who deliverd was also very professional and explained ALL the details, and how to use the bed. Thank you once again. Mr and Mrs G.S.Evans