A HOMELESS ex-soldier, discovered sleeping rough on the streets of Warrington, will die if he does not get help soon, a service charity has warned.
Des White, chairman of the Veterans Council, is urging the veteran to get in touch after a moving encounter with him in the town centre.
He said: “If this veteran doesn’t get help soon, he will die.”
Mr White, who formerly served in the Royal Navy, met the unknown veteran sleeping rough near Lloyd’s Bank on Sunday night, November 18.
The former serviceman, aged in his 30s and from Warrington, described traumatic memories of recovering bodies during the Bosnian War.
He had also been injured by an explosion in Afghanistan and had seen his best friend die in the same blast.
Mr White said: “He was getting upset talking about it. He couldn’t handle his mate getting killed.”
The ex-serviceman was now living rough and drinking heavily.
Mr White said: “It was a story we have seen many times – he split up from his wife and he was not entitled to accommodation.
“He has been to seek help through the system.
“But because he is now dirty and he has taken to drinking he does not feel people treat him seriously. He doesn’t feel they understand what he is going through.”
The Wigan-based Veterans Council has specialist advisors who can direct ex-servicemen to help with housing, health, and much more.
Mr White added: “I gave the man my card and urged him to contact us but if he doesn’t get in touch I will go looking for him.
“This kind of thing doesn’t need to happen – anyone in a similar position should come to us for help.”
The Veterans Council can be contacted on 01942 861019 or at www.veteranscouncil.org
A HOMELESS ex-soldier, discovered sleeping rough on the streets of
Warrington, will die if he does not get help soon, a service charity has
warned.
Homeless ex-soldier will die warning
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
6 Comments
The authorities in Warrington Town have a very robust & already effective veteran support network / facility in operation, Should the said veteran supply his post HMF Name,rank & number to a wide varity of agencies throughout WBC including the RBL his dilemas could be resolved very rapidly.
There seems to be a growth industry in organisations raising money for and supporting former and current members of the forces. I give to some of them when I see them collecting but I can’t helpe feel that there are too many -spreading public support (financial and otherwise) a bit thin.
The Council has an outreach team for rough sleepers that check the streets and back alleys every morning at 6am and a special number that anyone concerned about rough sleepers can call. It’s 07768 605020. They are actively trying to help people who have no where to stay. However not everyone will accept help and not everyone begging in the town centre is homeless.
So very sad to read and I sincerely hope that the young man is found soon and/or gets in touch with Mr White of the Vererans Council or one of the other organisations mentioned so that he can get the help and support that he so clearly needs and deserves. 🙁
Lance and Gene did you miss this? “He has been to seek help through the system…………….he does not feel people treat him seriously”.
and “he was not entitled to accommodation”
We have much the same issues here in the US. Of course, we have many more such individuals as we are honor bound to bring democracy to the far corners of the world if we must kill all to do it.
“The better I get to know people the more I like dogs” said Mark Twain.
Here, here.