AS a proud Ambassador for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and a veteran myself, I’d like to tell you about a fund I’ve set up with the charity to ensure that veterans in Scotland get the support they need.

I’ve experienced first-hand the challenges our servicemen and women can face when they leave the military. I thought my transition from the Forces was going to be easy, but I quickly found myself in a bad place.

The Ant Middleton Fund is a call to action. I want change, so we can stop reading stories of veterans unable to get the support they need. I’m hopeful that together we can put an end to unnecessary suffering of those who risked their lives for our safety and get local veterans back on their feet.

After years of putting myself through my paces to be the strongest I could be, both physically and mentally, I felt defeated. It took a lot, but I have put that time behind me, learnt from it and SSAFA were there to support me through it.

The Ant Middleton Fund has been launched to ensure that other veterans get the support I did. The money raised will help SSAFA provide a lifeline for veterans and their families as they adjust to civilian life, through its transition services.

Veterans who struggle to adapt to life after their military service, can often find themselves in desperate circumstances; suffering from long-term physical or mental problems, unable to find work or suitable housing and without enough money for daily living expenses.

SSAFA runs a range of support services for these veterans to help achieve their potential in their new lives outside of the military.

These services include its bespoke mentoring service which offers face-to-face support to motivate and empower service leavers, plus personalised welfare, housing and practical support for veterans and their families.

To donate to the Ant Middleton Fund, please visit www.ssafa.org.uk/AMF

ANT MIDDLESTON,

SSAFA Ambassador and Special Forces veteran.