Ex-soldier on shortlist for national honour

Tony Stubbs, Veterans in Communities

A local former soldier has been shortlisted for the Inspiration Award in the Soldiering on Awards.

Tony Stubbs, 42, who is a voluntary outreach worker for Middleton and also runs the allotment in Langley, said: “I found out a couple of weeks ago that I had been nominated but I only discovered on Thursday (11 January) that I had been shortlisted.

“I am very grateful to those who nominated me and I am very proud to have been named as a finalist.”

Tony also works as a volunteer Peer Mentor for the Military Veterans Service in the North West mentoring people with drug and alcohol problems and a media ambassador for The Royal British Legion on the Veterans’ Gateway. 

Originally from Manchester, Tony was just 15-and-a-half when he signed up and 16 when he went on a Junior Leaders’ Course.

On passing the course he completed his training in Newcastle and he was posted into the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment completing three tours in Northern Ireland and Germany.

On returning to Civvy Street he struggled to fit in and ended up homeless, mixing with the wrong crowd and getting into a life of crime.

Four years’ ago, his son Anthony went missing and seven weeks later his body was discovered - he was only 16.

Tony said: “I was transferred to the Military Veterans’ Service about 18 months later and between them and VIC they put me back on the right road. I had asked for help before my son went missing, but his death gave me the determination to sort something out.”

His own battle with alcoholism has left Tony in need of a liver transplant.

Bob Elliott, Operations Manager of VIC, said: “We are very proud that Tony’s many achievements are being recognised on a national scale and that VIC will again be represented at such a prestigious ceremony. We wish him well.”

The winner of the award will be the person or group judged to have overcome significant challenges, injury or disability and whose achievements are an inspiration to others; embodying the spirit of Soldiering On.

There are six other finalists in the category.

Overall winners will be announced at a Black Tie gala reception, dinner and Awards’ ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London, on April 20.