Heroes On The Water UK

King Rat

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Some of you know I am involved with a charity called Heroes On the Water UK. Well today we had some majorly good news direct from the Charity Commissioners themselves. This is what the message said:

We are pleased to tell you that HEROES ON THE WATER UK has achieved charitable status and has been entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1155380. The decision to register HEROES ON THE WATER UK was based on the information supplied during the application process. We are satisfied that HEROES ON THE WATER UK is established for charitable purposes only for the public benefit.

This is a fantastic achievement for nine months of dedicated work on the part of the trustees: Paul Fennell, Martin Hurst, David Taylor and Ed Gibson and a little bit of input from me.

Folks, if you don't know about Heroes On the Water UK, please have a look at the website, like the facebook page - but more importantly, if you, or maybe your club, are looking for a worthwhile cause to do even a little bit of fundraising for, it would be very much appreciated and the effect the therapy sessions are having is incredible.

One chap out for the first time. He was in an armoured car when it went over an IED. The two guys in the front were turned to red mist, his mates beside him were killed. He was badly injured but survived. From that moment on, for three years of rehab, he never uttered a word to anyone. He was taken out on a session and afterwards, as things were being put away a casual comment was thrown in his direction, "how did you enjoy that then?"..........he started jabbering away about how he had loved it, for nearly a minute. Then he realised he was talking and clammed up again. BUT, the ice had been broken for the first time in three years. THAT IS THE VALUE OF THIS INITIATIVE.
 
Just an update folks. We have been making major steps forward and have provided 100 user sessions this year - remember the charity is only a little over 18 months old. I think you'll join me in saying this is a fantastic achievment. We are used by Blind Veterans UK, we are now part of Hedley Court's repertoire and Combat Stress - because what we offer is free of any possible triggers for PTSE sufferers and is also available on an equal terms basis to seriously injured recovering veterans - one of our session users, james, is a triple amputee and has lost 98% of his sight - imagine the feeling for him to be out, solo, on a kayak and catching a fish.

The value of these sessions is very much down to the environment, but also the fact that the session users are IN CONTROL OF THEIR OWN ACTIONS - that is very different to be taken on a boat trip, where they are being "taxied" about. On the kayak they have to do it for themselves and the sense of self worth is where the real value lies.

Please, take the time to have a quick look at the website to get an idea of what we do. EVERYTHING is provided by volunteers, so 100% of our fundraising activty goes to providing the sessions. The gear is sponsored by generous companies and all admin is also covered by voluntary professionals. You can see the website here: www.heroesonthewater-uk.org
And please, if you do Facebook, Visit our Facebook page and LIKE us. https://www.facebook.com/HeroesOnTheWaterUk?ref=bookmarks

Any fund raising activity would be very gratefully received and put to very good use.
 
A picture of some pre-launch coaching - he left his legs behind, they are too expensive to risk losing overboard.



Success!





 
Any plans to make pin badges of the above logo? It's very neat in a "Help for Heroes" style, could help to raise funds and also raise awareness of your cause. I'd be happy to buy and wear one.
 
Pukmeister - thanks very much for replying. There is an online shop where we have merchandise for sale - car stickers (non sticky for easy removal, not leaving a sticky mess), sweats and shirts, hats, adhesive stickers, etc. It is on the main website pages see link above.

SHOP LINK HERE: http://www.heroesonthewater-uk.org/shop

Thanks for reading and replying. Another user was in a vehicle that was hit by an IED. The two guys in front were turned to red mist, the guys either side of our session user were killed aoutright. Our chap survived, badly injured but is recovering from his injuries. From that day for 3 years he never uttered a single word, not to his doctors, nurses, family, not a murmer. We took him out and after a few hours on the water, as a first session, while we were packing the kit away and getting undressed a casual comment thrown across to him, "how did you enjoy that then Pete?"

He started jabbering away about the peacefulness and total stress busting experience.....when he then noticed the open mouthed stares from his nurses and he clammed up again. The ice had been broken. We had achieved in a few hours what three years of speech therapy had failed to achieve.

IT WORKS - it works because it is much more than an experience. There is a pathway and an ongoing, regular therapy that maintains an dbuilds on those first successes. Pete will now communicate with his carers, after just a few months of coming out with us - and three years of what might be termed, 'acceptable methods'. We are having a session for a couple of new guys this weekend in Plymouth. The word is spreading, the results are speaking volumes and it is getting noticed.
Proven results, scientifically measured over 6000 vets in the USA:

78% reduction in overall stress

77% reduction in hyper vigilance

63% reduction in avoidance behaviour

We are still young, but in the USA they are now in their 9th year. There are branches in Australia and Canada too, each is autonomous, but follow the same system that has proven itself to be very beneficial.

Cheers,
Simon
 


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