A man on a mission for the forces charities
Colin Henshaw. Photo: Stuart Littleford.
An Uppermill man is setting out on a mission of a lifetime to raise money for charities that help injured service personnel adjust to life back on ‘Civvy Street’.
Ex Fusilier Colin Henshaw 32, was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and adjustment disorder, after serving in the forces. He is now planning to do a ‘Five Peaks’ challenge to raise money for two forces charities, Help for Heroes and The Band of Brothers.
Colin said: “I will be embarking on the five peaks challenge starting on July 4th till July 8th, the first one will be Snowdon then I’m off to Scafell Pike the same day. On the 6th I will do Ben Nevis and then travel over to Ireland for Slieve Donard, also Carrantuohill that same day.
“I will be heading back on the 8th with all five peaks done hopefully in 55 hours. The next challenge for me will be on the 12th August with a trek of over 20 miles along Hadrian’s Wall with a spire to spire trek on the 16th September of over 26 miles in Winchester.”
Colin’s mental health issues started after he returned from serving in Northern Ireland with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, he was badly affected by what he experienced there. These manifested as nightmares, flashbacks and panic attacks alongside other symptoms.
It is now an accepted fact that many soldiers come back from combat duty with emotional scars, that although unseen, are just as painful and complex to deal with as a physical injury.
He has found it difficult to get the help and assistance he has longed for, although he is in receipt of a war pension this does not overcome the financial problems he still has due to being unable to work.
He feels he has been cast aside and lost in the system along with other service personnel, many of them suffering with the similar mental health problems alongside physical disabilities.
He said: “I feel I have been let down by the very people I fought for, I have served my country and yet when I need help getting through these mental health issues I find it’s not there for me. I am getting passed from pillar to post, I’ve seen many doctors and health professionals, yet I’m still not getting the help I deserve.
“None of my health care seems to be centralised, the left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing, one person is advising one thing and another something else, this is no use to me I have almost given up.
“I’ve had tremendous encouragement from the people in my local pub the Granby Arms in Uppermill, Debbie the landlady is well known for sending parcels to the troops, she’s been a great help and has set me on the right path by calming me down as I was always on edge even in the pub.
“Having relatives of her own serving in the forces she knows just what it’s like and the issues we face.”
Being a fighter and determined not to give up, Colin decided to see if he could do anything to help himself as sitting around feeling sorry for himself was just not an option. He was then persuaded by friends to contact two charities Help for Heroes and The Band of Brothers to see what advice and support they could offer.
After speaking with both charities he was bowled over at the encouragement and support they gave him, they put him in contact with other serviceman going through similar issues and offered him much needed guidance.
Colin raising money at the Saddleworth Show. Photo: Stuart Littleford.
In addition to the support Colin is receiving from Help for Heroes and The Band of Brothers, he plans to contact Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, to find out what more can be done to help ex-service men and women like himself cope with life on ‘Civvy Street’.
Commenting on Colin’s forthcoming fundraising challenges, Debbie Abrahams MP said: “I applaud Colin’s work to raise money for such an important cause as Help for Heroes.”
Colin recently raised over £430 with a stall at the Saddleworth Show, if anyone wants to sponsor his walk or just donate he can be contacted on: 07759 857519.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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