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Video: Veterans get together to Combat Stress
A HANDFUL of war veterans met to share their harrowing experiences of army life at a new Peterborough drop-in session for former servicemen and women, and their families.
A HANDFUL of war veterans met to share their harrowing experiences of army life at a new Peterborough drop-in session for former servicemen and women, and their families.Peterborough Cathedral, retailer John Lewis and campaign group Combat Stress teamed up to hold the session on Tuesday (2nd June), which provided support, comfort and unity, as well as counselling and advice for soldiers returning to civilian life, after hearing the plight of one city soldier.
David Saunders (59) was profoundly traumatised by the harrowing experiences of his 14-year army career, in particular his time spent in Northern Ireland, where he witnessed the events of Bloody Sunday.
Now, more than 20 years on, Mr Saunders and his family, of Wesleyan Road, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, decided to organise a series of sessions for men and women of all ranks from the British armed forces and the Merchant Navy who are suffering from psychological problems.
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Speaking after the first session at the Benedict rooms at Peterborough Cathedral, Mr Saunders' wife, Catharine (56), said: "It was a great success. We had about seven veterans, as well as other dignitaries. Although it was only the first of many sessions to come, it allowed servicemen and their families to see that there are others out there going through similar experiences.
"We now hope that the word about the sessions will spread across Peterborough, and we will see even more people next month.
"People we spoke to said the drop-in session was long overdue in Peterborough, which is very true. It took my husband years to open up to me about things he witnessed while on duty, and I suspect there are many others out there too.
"But this session is also a place for the families of the soldiers to go, as they too suffer and often need someone to share their experiences with.
City retailer John Lewis will be funding the project for the coming months.
The Dean of Peterborough, the Very Reverend Charles Taylor, who is renowned for his support for British troops after calling for the Government to take better care of servicemen during a cathedral sermon in 2007, was the one who initially got the ball rolling after hearing about Mr Saunders and his family.
He said: "Although, to start with, this facility is open only on the first Tuesday of each month, I hope it meets a real need, and if those who use it think it would be helpful to meet more often, we'll see what we can do to increase the frequency of opening."
The next session will be held at the cathedral on July 7, from 10am to 12pm.
For more information, call Catharine Saunders on 01733 344143, or Emma Valerio, on 01733 344644.
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