When the Covid pandemic hit in early 2020, many charities suffered huge fundraising losses, resulting in them being unable to help those who they were set up to assist. For local Carterton Squadron Reservist Cpl Hayley Court from 622 Squadron at Brize Norton, this was a call for action.
As a serving member of the Armed Forces for many years, and with many friends in the military who suffer daily from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Hayley decided to start organising events to raise vital funds for Combat Stress. Together with the support of her colleagues from the military, they set up a Facebook page called Healing Military Minds, to promote their fundraising events and they worked tirelessly with Hayley to raise essential funds.
“The charity is close to my heart,” says Hayley. “Many friends and veterans rely on support from them, helping to guide them through their mental health challenges and I simply had to take action and get involved. My first fundraiser was a Pie Challenge. Not only was this a good reason to laugh – watching people pie themselves via Zoom, giving us all a moment of fun during the difficult months of the first lockdown – we raised £1,500.”
Combat Stress was established in 1919 and for over one hundred years, was the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health has been helping service personnel with mental health problems including PTSD, anxiety and depression. They aim to help veterans tackle their past and take on a brighter future. By providing a 24-hour helpline available to all veterans and their families, Combat Stress provide vital help to so many people each year.
As lockdown eased in September 2021, Hayley decided it was time to flex a few leg muscles and take on a 1,085m ascent of Mount Snowdon. Together with former World Cruiserweight Boxer Glenn McCrory and Army officer turned MP, Johnny Mercer, they started getting sponsorship for the ascent. They were also joined by Tony Wilsher from It’s Okay Not To Be Okay and Darren Jackson from Combat Stress. The group were delighted to raise a total of £1,600 from their climb which was added to Hayley’s running total of £26,000. As the new year dawns, Hayley and her colleagues have now raised £30,000 since their first fund-raiser but they want to reach more than £50,000 this year.
Darren Jackson, Regional Community Fundraiser from Combat Stress comments: “We’re extremely grateful to Hayley and Healing Military Minds for making Combat Stress their chosen charity. The money Hayley’s various events have raised will help us to continue providing our specialist support to veterans with complex mental health problems.”
With a new year upon us, Hayley has many other events planned which local residents are urged to get involved with. Take a look at what’s on in the coming months…
February
The first is a fabulous Valentine’s evening party for singles and couples to dance and enjoy live music on Friday 11 February at Brownes Hall in Carterton. Oxfordshire band The Fizzy Kisses will be performing with Nicky Fizz on drums/vocals accompanied by Daz Kisses on guitar/vocals. For information on how to book your tickets for this event, please visit Facebook @healingmilitaryminds.
March
March is the month when you can put on your walking or running shoes and March ten miles in March. The idea is simple: register at events.combatstress.org.uk, select organisations and find Healing Military Minds team, decide which day you want to walk or run your ten miles and where you will be walking. Taking part will help raise money for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans. Combat Stress is hoping to raise £80,000 from this event so Hayley wants as many people as possible from Carterton and Brize Norton to take part. Visit Anyone raising £20 or more will receive a March in March medal.
April
Families have not been forgotten as there is a wonderfully fun Disney Party being held on Sunday 10 April from 1 to 5pm at the Brownes Hall. Members from the military will be dressing up as Disney characters and getting involved in providing lots of family fun and photo opportunities. With a bouncy castle and children’s entertainer, this is one is an event for everyone to get involved in. Tickets are £20 for a family of four, with an additional ticket costing just £4. To buy your tickets visit the Healing Military Minds Facebook page.
Keep an eye on the Healing Military Minds Facebook page to see what else is happening during 2022. Hayley and her military friends are planning to hold a black-tie ball at the end of September which will be truly spectacular.
