The Royal Caledonian Education Trust - Est1815

News

06 May 2014

RCET and Poppyscotland

RCET receive a donation from Poppyscotland

Wednesday 30 April 2014 - A leading charity that supports Scottish Armed Forces children is receiving a donation today from Poppyscotland raising the total amount donated by the veteran’s charity to £50,000.

The Royal Caledonian Education Trust (RCET) provide over 300 individual grants a year to help children living with Armed Forces families in Scotland experiencing financial hardship or affected by illness or disability following active service.

Today’s cash boost from Poppyscotland brings the total they have donated to the RCET since 2007 to £50,000. The monies will be used to help the RCET provide grants to pay for school clothing, books, computers, as well as support with after-school activities such as swimming and football, for children of serving men and women as well as veterans, who have difficulty or are unable to fund these themselves.

Speaking at Poppyscotland’s Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh where charity staff and directors met Armed Forces veterans with disabilities employed at the factory, RCET chief executive James MacBain said: “There are exceptions, but many of the families we support are struggling to make ends meet; some are living with PTSD, disability or other health problems, leaving family members unable to work.

“Thanks to Poppyscotland and others we are able to help make a considerable difference to the children and young people who need our support and for this we are extremely grateful. The sad fact is however demand for our support is growing and we desperately need more funds to resource these requests and the potential increase that may arise as a consequence of the long term effects of operational deployments in Afghanistan or other areas.”

One family whose circumstances have been dramatically changed as a result of the joint support provided Poppyscotland and the RCET is Army veteran, John and his family.

John was not yet 20 when he was severely injured by a road side bomb which cut short his army career leaving him with multiple injuries and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

John said: “There wasn’t a lot on offer for young boys my age where I lived. Many were being offered apprenticeships but there weren’t any jobs available so I signed up for the Army at my local recruiting office. I was 15 at the time, a boy solider. On completion of my training I joined a Battalion in Germany as a Fusilier and spent the next 2-3 years on exercise. During my time off I did lots of travelling, saw Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, and lots of other places.

“Then I got posted to Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles and everything changed. Following the attack, I spent a long time in hospital learning how to use my hands, how to hold a knife and fork, learning how to walk. It was also the end of my Army career.”

John moved back to Scotland and he now lives with his wife who is also John’s full-time carer. They have two children in their teens who, due to the family circumstances, receive grants from the RCET for essential extras that help with their education and overall wellbeing.

Commenting John said: “The RCET has been a lifeline of support to them and to all of us. Both my kids receive a grant from the RCET to help pay for shoes. My daughter likes ice-skating and my son plays football so the money also help pay for these activities, which otherwise wouldn’t be possible. I honestly don?t know what we would have done without the RCET. The job they are doing for families like ourselves is incredible.”

Two or three times a year John attends Hollybush House, a residential support centre in Ayr run by veteran mental health charity, Combat Stress. The residential centre provides treatment and support for veterans suffering with mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. John said: “During my visits, I make poppies to help raise money for Poppyscotland. I’ve made around 2,900 poppies to date, not just plain ones, and all different ones. I’ve got one good hand and it means I can give something back and help other Armed Forces families in similar situations.”

Commenting, Poppyscotland Chief Executive Ian McGregor said: “The support we provide, in both large and small ways, together with RCET and other Armed Forces charities, makes a hugely positive impact. Poppyscotland needs to raise money all year round to continue to deliver our vital services and we are very grateful for the support we receive which really does make a difference to the lives of veterans, and their families, in Scotland.”