Veterans named in shortlist for awards

Three members of a veterans’ organisation have been selected as finalists for prestigious armed forces’ awards.

The English Veterans Awards will be presented on September 25 at the Mercure Bristol Holland House.

Three members of Veterans In Communities, a Haslingden-based charity that works throughout East Lancashire, Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton, have been selected among the top entries.

Liz Davies, 51, from Rochdale, is a Voluntary Outreach Worker at VIC having been involved with the charity for nearly four years and is a finalist in Volunteer of the Year.

She served for five years in the Royal Air Force and while working for VIC set up the hugely successful Sandbag Café in Heywood.

She said: “I was very shocked to find out I was a finalist. I am most proud of enabling 13 veterans to get blazers and regimental ties.

“They were not going to Remembrance events because they did not feel properly dressed. Now they often wear them to Sandbag, and they wear them with pride. They feel a part of the forces family again.”

Liz realised that there was more chance of veterans opening up and sharing issues in a more laid-back café style outreach than a clinical environment of a GP surgery.

She said: “Since launching the coffee morning, VIC has gained a further eight volunteers and the café now has a committee.”

Outreach Worker Steve Butterworth, 59, from Holcombe Brook, is a finalist in the Role Model of the Year category for his work in the community as well as with the charity.

A Falklands’ veteran, Steve has been with VIC since 2012 after he was referred to the art group by the Military Veterans Service because of his painting.

He said: “I am quite a private person and I was humbled by being named as a finalist. I am contracted to do 20 hours with VIC but every month I complete an extra 45 hours.

“I am an Outreach Worker and Peer Mentor and run sessions in Rochdale on a Thursday, Pendle on a Monday, then Heywood and Middleton on alternate Tuesdays.

“I have seen two or three younger veterans when I have felt like I was talking to myself at their age and if I can stop them going through the anger and issues that I had, then I am happy.”

Last year Steve, who has complex PTSD and other medical issues, led a series of workshops in schools and the community, planned, organised and implemented the Rammy Rocks: Ramsbottom Peace Memorial Project and designed a lasting memorial in Nuttall Park.

Fellow Falklands’ veteran Darren Horsnell, 57, from Haslingden, has been involved with VIC from its inception and uses his incredible artistic talents to inspire others.

He is a finalist in The Community Award category alongside former VIC Transformational Coach Terry Morley, from Groundwork Manchester Salford Stockport Tameside and Trafford.

To help the veterans cover the costs of attending the award ceremony, a crowdfunding page has been set up.

Anyone who wishes to donate should visit:

• www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-get-our-veterans-to-their-awards-ceremony