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My name is Paul Bowers.
Here is a bit about myself and what i am doing and asking for contribution's toward our breakfast club.
2 years ago, I had bariatric surgery and have lost over 16 stone in weight. I have started going to the gym to aid my fitness, mental health and well-being
So, my next Challenge takes place in September. I have been invited by a bunch of veterans from my Regiment ,17/21 lancers, to walk along the Dolomites, from Italy to Austria. The trip will take place over 6 days, walking about 20kms a day.
I maybe 65 years old, 2 inches shorter on one side so walk with a slight limp, but I am determined to do the walk and raise as much funds as possible for the Troops Naafi, At present I am going to JD gym in Doncaster to improve my fitness and stamina, I am using Facebook and word of mouth to get my message out to the communities.
I was born in the village of Rossington, near Doncaster South Yorkshire on 01/01/1959.
I left the local comprehensive in May 1975, with no qualifications to join the Army.
So, at the age of 16 I left home to go to Bevington, as a junior leader RAC. I spent the next 18 years and a half year serving in 17/21 Lancers until taking redundancy in June 1992 at the rank of Corporal.
During this time, I went to Canada 7 times, a brief spell in Gibraltar and Ireland; spent 10 years in Munster in Germany along with 2 years in Fallingbostel. I also did several stints at Lulworth and Bevington in Dorset finishing my career in Catterick as a Gunnery Instructor.
It was while on manoeuvres in the 1980s that I was in an accident which resulted in my breaking my neck and back, over time this led to tinnitus and PTSD.
Upon leaving the Army I had several jobs as I found it hard to settle. Most of the work was as an HGV driver but I also did a stint working with the American Army in Giessen in Southern Germany.
During this time I had also joined the Army Cadet Force in which I am still serving now as the CQMS of C Company, Humberside and South Yorkshire.
Whilst celebrating with some friends, for a stag party, I fell over and fractured my pelvis. This led me to having to give up work, putting on a lot of weight, becoming depressed and triggering PTSD.
I was referred to the Roger Jones and Agnus Hunt Orthopaedic hospital in Shrewsbury where I was operated on by Colonel Meyer and given a new hip and 8 months later a new knee.
To help my mental health I started making walking sticks for my friends. I became a member of Troops Naafi Veteran’s Breakfast Club where many of the veterans also wanted sticks.
I was supported by Claire Street, who was one of the trustees, to set up the Military and Veterans Parade Sticks page on Facebook. This has been a godsend to me as it has given me a purpose to get out of bed.
A percentage of the price goes into the breakfast club funds where it has paid to set up the Veterans Café in Eccles, taken the veterans on trips to the arboretum, Chelsea Pensions in London, Eden Camp, as well as helping veterans in financial difficulties and the homeless. The funds have also helped the dancing with dementia group, the scouts and Army Cadets in my local area.
Recently I have had the honour of personally presenting the King and Queen with a stick each.
Thank You
Vision; of Troops Naafi veteran's breakfast club.
a. To give emotional and practical support to Veterans and their Families; friendship and assistance to
those who have shared experiences of war and peace.
b. To organise social and welfare activities such as Breakfast Clubs, Befriending, Home Visits,
Newsletters, and Events.
c. To offer practical support to Veterans wishing to access a range of services such as benefits,
housing advice, training, education, and job opportunities, acting as a conduit to these services.
d. To encourage Salford City Council and other partner agencies to commit to their responsibilities
enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant.
e. To offer support to individuals and organisations who already work with or who wish to work with
Veterans and their Families. The Club will also work with individuals who are part of the wider ex-service community, primarily in Salford and Greater Manchester.
f. To engage with other organisations who have similar objectives and who engage with Veterans in a
variety of ways, such as local businesses, third sector organisations and the statutory sector.