I’ve seen first-hand what happens when the right charities have the funding they need to be there for veterans and military families when they need them most. They don’t just provide services. They restore confidence, rebuild a sense of purpose and, sometimes, they save lives.
On Christmas Eve 2007, while serving with 40 Commando Royal Marines in Afghanistan, an improvised explosive device changed my life forever.
I lost both my legs.
When I woke up in hospital three days later, I was told I’d never walk again. I had a choice: accept it or fight it. Thankfully, stubbornness won.
Recovery wasn’t something I did alone.
Learning to walk again was only part of my recovery. Like so many veterans, I discovered that rebuilding your life takes more than determination. It takes family, friends and charities standing beside you when you need them most.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I received. My family, my friends and the charities that helped me rebuild my life gave me the encouragement, practical support and confidence to look forward again.
They reminded me that although my military service had ended, I wasn’t facing the future alone. That’s why the Veterans’ Foundation means so much to me.
Why I’m asking you to stand with veterans.
People often assume the hardest part of military service is being deployed. For many veterans, it isn’t.
The hardest battles can begin after the uniform comes off. Living with injury. Coping with trauma. Finding a new purpose. Supporting your family. Asking for help when you’ve spent your life being the person others rely on.
That’s why I’m asking you to add your name to the Armed Forces Pledge.
It’s a simple act, but it sends a powerful message to veterans, serving personnel and military families across the UK:
We’re with you.
Why adding your name matters.
The Armed Forces Pledge is about more than adding your name. It’s about showing the Armed Forces community that this country hasn’t forgotten them.
It’s about recognising the sacrifices made not only by those who serve, but by the families who stand beside them every day.
It’s also about recognising the people, charities and organisations that quietly support our Armed Forces community every single day, making sure they have the support they need to keep changing lives.
I’m proud to stand with the Veterans’ Foundation because that’s exactly what it does. By investing in hundreds of charities across the UK, it helps ensure veterans, serving personnel and military families can get the support they need, when they need it most.
I hope you’ll join me by adding your name to the Armed Forces Pledge.
Together, we can send one simple message to everyone who has served our country:
You are not alone. We’re with you.
Make the pledge
