Friday, March 5, 2010

EX-PARA EXPRESSES CONCERN FOR FORGOTTEN CASUALTIES

Published Date: 23 February 2010

EX-PARATROOPER and care home millionaire Tony Banks has warned psychologically wounded servicemen from the conflicts in the Falklands and Iraq are in danger of becoming forgotten casualties as Afghanistan continues to command the headlines.
Tony, who served with 2 Para in the Falklands and has since amassed a £50 million fortune through the Forfar-based Balhousie Care Group in Scotland, starred in an episode of Channel 4's 'The Secret Millionaire' last year where he visited Anfield, Liverpool.

He said: "While living undercover in Liverpool I met 29 year-old Lee Sanger, a veteran of the Iraq war who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

"At the end of my visit I personally donated £30,000 to a charity of Lee's choice - he chose 'Combat Stress'."

Tony has continued to support 'Combat Stress' and last month returned to the Falklands with fellow veterans Wayne Rees and Jim Foster.

Tony continued: "Wayne, Jim and I returned to the islands for the first time since 1982 and we walked the route of the Paras' famous 'tab' to Port Stanley.

"We hope to raise £10,000 for the armed forces charity 'Combat Stress' and are well on the way with £5,923 being donated already.

"The awful thing about the Falklands is that more servicemen have died from suicide than from the actual fighting, which highlights the vital work being carried out by charities such as 'Combat Stress'.

"The money we raise will be used to care for British Veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their service career."

The money raised will specifically be used to send patients on adventurous training/outward bounds courses. This helps with their treatment as they build up camaraderie, something that is often missing in their day to day lives.

Many veterans leave the Armed Forces with highly debilitating conditions such as PTSD depression and anxiety disorders.

Their problems can remain masked for years, and they and their families are often struggling to deal with matters at home.

The eight-year occupation of Afghanistan has so far accounted for 261 deaths amongst British servicemen.

The 74 day conflict in the Falklands in 1982 resulted in 255 dead serviceman.

Tony will be appearing in a new instalment of Secret Millionaire, in which he returns to Anfield to assess the effects of his philanthropy.
The programme is due to be screened in April, and will include footage of his 'yomp' across the Falklands.

Tony added: "We're extremely grateful for any donations, especially as every single penny donated will be going to Combat Stress."
Anyone wishing to make a donation to Combat Stress should visit www.justgiving.com/Tony-Banks or www.combatstress.org.uk

Source : http://www.kirriemuirherald.co.uk/people/EXPARA-EXPRESSES-CONCERN-FOR-FORGOTTEN.6096554.jp

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