Lottery ‘win’ for veterans’ charity
Award will help find them the perfect pooch
An animal charity has been given a cash boost to help its life-changing work with Armed Forces veterans.
The Bravehound project, which is based in Bishopton, is getting £5,000 from the National Lottery to provide the veterans with dogs as a means of giving their lives a boost.
And Scottish TV presenter and Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers visited the organisation to announce the news that it has been voted Britain’s Best Voluntary/Charity project in the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded good causes.
The initiative beat off competition from 1,300 entries to win a public vote, which gets them the cash prize, a National Lottery Awards trophy and an appearance on a special BBC1 show next month.
JJ, a former Royal Marine from Dunfermline who sustained severe injuries to his arms and legs while serving in Afghanistan, said: “The Bravehound project is a brilliant idea that makes a vital difference in the lives of veterans in assisting them to adapt to civilian life.
“It can be difficult to adjust after leaving the armed forces, especially for those who have experienced trauma in combat.
“But these companion dogs, and the support from the charity, provide great comfort to those fortunate enough to receive them.
“They fully deserve this National Lottery Award.
“National Lottery players should be very proud to have helped fund the wonderful Bravehounds.”
Bravehound was launched in 2016 to match dogs with veterans, to help them return to civilian life.
Most veterans leave the armed forces and adapt well to civilian life but many face real difficulties, in particular those with posttraumatic stress disorder.
And that’s where the charity comes in by offering much-needed support and companionship.
Veteran Mick McConnell, who lost a leg while serving in Afghanistan, received Sasha, a sprocker spaniel, from the charity earlier this year.
He said: “My sniffer dog Memphis was with me when I was injured in Afghanistan and when he was retired, I was able to be reunited with him.
“He helped me through some dark days as I recovered from my injuries.
“Sadly, Memphis passed away earlier this year and I was devastated. But thanks to Bravehound, I was introduced to Sasha and we are inseparable.
“She is such a great help to me. She gets me out and about and makes me laugh all the time.
“I am so happy to see the Bravehound programme being recognised with a National Lottery Award.”
Fiona Macdonald, Bravehound founder and director, said National Lottery funding was crucial in the establishment of Bravehound and has allowed it to help so many veterans.
She added: “We believe dogs can help heal the invisible wounds that those who have seen military action carry with them.
“We are delighted to have won a National Lottery Award and to be recognised in this way by the public, not just in Scotland but throughout the UK.
“I’d like to thank everyone who voted for us and everyone who plays the National Lottery for enabling us to provide this vital service for our veterans.”
You can see more about the impact of Bravehound on a special BBC1 show on Wednesday, September 27.
The Bravehound project is a brilliant idea JJ Chalmers