Live ChatIn the forces he’d travelled the world; now he was isolated, trapped inside four walls.
Then SSAFA gave him his independence back.
Former Welsh Guard, Gareth, loved the army. Physically fit, he relished a challenge. Proud to be one of the lads, he thrived on the camaraderie and adventure.
Entering civvy street was a different story, Gareth struggled to find his place in the world until he started running pubs. The laughs, the community and sharing stories with other veterans over the bar allowed him to feel like he belonged again.
On every pub bar, he placed a SSAFA fundraising tin. They helped veterans who’d fallen on hard times, not veterans like him.
He was fortunate; he had a job, he was strong, he was the life and soul of the community, until one day he wasn’t.
Gareth suffered a life-changing heart attack, undergoing a triple heart bypass; he fought to survive.
Beside themselves he and wife, Katherine, were forced to give up their pub, losing their home, their jobs, and, for the second time since leaving the military, their community.
After some dark days they slowly started to rebuild their lives and life seemed hopeful once more.
But such hope was short lived as Gareth was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, complications leading to him undergoing 12 operations in less than a year.
As Katherine struggled to care for their five children, Gareth withdrew. In pain and stuck in bed, too weak to walk more than a few steps, he lost his independence.
His world grew smaller by the day. He’d spend days alone at home. In the army he could call for backup; now, frightened to put more pressure on his family, he fought his darkest fears alone.
For their youngest daughter the world was a horrible place. Bullied by other kids, who told her that her dad would die, and riddled with anxiety she stopped going to primary school.
When the family reached breaking point, a proud Gareth reluctantly reached out to SSAFA.
Despite reservations, SSAFA caseworker Richard quickly became Gareth’s lifeline; he made him see how brave it was to ask for help.
Richard knew the family couldn’t fight on alone.
Gareth said, ‘Within a week, we were drawn into the SSAFA family.’
Richard’s compassion and understanding helped Gareth open up about his struggles.
Richard recognised that Gareth was a prisoner behind his own front door and that getting him out was key to keeping his morale up.
He secured funding for an electric bed and mobility scooter, opening up Gareth’s world once more.
The new bed has allowed Gareth to get up without assistance, giving him dignity and Katherine some much-needed respite.
The scooter means that on better days, Gareth can make memories with his friends and family and be the dad he wants to be. His youngest child, now happy in her new school, loves going to the prom with her dad.
His new found freedom also means Gareth can go to veterans’ reunions, where no one talks about cancer, but about postings, rat packs and antics best forgotten.
Gareth and his family have many challenges ahead, but thanks to SSAFA they’re not alone.
Gareth says, ‘SSAFA’s support and involvement in our lives has allowed new doors of optimism to open and has provided me with new determination to fight against my ailing health.’
When Gareth faced his toughest battle, we were there.
When he needed a community, we were it.
When he had no fight left in him, SSAFA fought alongside him.
We don’t stop caring just because you stop wearing a uniform.
Because no one should battle alone.
