The ALF has been able to give purpose and a reason to be outdoors again back to an injured veteran by supplying him with fishing equipment.
After a difficult and complex period following medical discharge, former Yorkshire Regiment soldier Paul, is currently living at the veteran’s homeless centre, The Beacon, in Catterick. He was referred to the ALF by Beacon specialist (Health and Wellbeing) support worker, Aiden Dephley and Trustee Steve Fraser managed to meet Paul and discuss his situation on his last visit to The Beacon in early February.
In a wonderful letter from Paul to the ALF team, Paul stated that “I would like to thank you all for your help and kindness in helping me get my gear. Fishing is the thing that helps me most with my mental health and being able to get back outdoors and doing the thing I love is great. Getting out [to the lake] is also improving my physical health and stops me from just sitting in my flat avoiding the world.”
Following Aiden’s recommendations, and with additional support from Andy Loble at The Angling Trust, Paul has the ability to fish day and night and the outcomes are clear from the photos he kindly supplied.