This isn’t just a poppy now.. it’s a lifesaver
Veteran hails charities for vital support
Heather Greenaway Veteran Donald McLeod sits in a quiet corner of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory assembling wreaths while his therapy dog Milo snoozes at his feet.
His life today is a world away from the horrors he experienced 40 years ago at Mount Tumbledown, where he fought as a Scots Guarduard during the Falklands War.
Donald will never forget thatt night in June 1982 when he helped the British Army to claim a hard-won victory over the Argentinians in a brief but bloody battle.
The ex-soldier, from Edinburgh, was engaged in nine hours of hand-to-hand bayonet combat with the enemy in a savage assault that claimed the lives of eight of his Scotscots Guards comrades.
The Falklands changed Donald’s life forever – he left the military, started drinking, got into f ights, fell out with his family, broke up with his wife and ended up living on the streets.
After being diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and being treated at veterans’ charity Combat Stress, he found a job at the Poppy Factory and, along with it, a sense of recovery.
S i nc e t hen , Dona l d has become a lifeline for other vets who are struggl ing w ith l i fe on Civvy Street, giving t h em advice and helping them get their lives back on track.
His service to his country and his selfless dedication honouring his fallen comrades and improving the lives of veterans has earned the dad- of - two a Scotland ’s Champion Award in the Military and Emergency Services category.
Donald, 63, said: “I joined the Army when I was 19. I was in for nearly 10 years and served in Northern Ireland and Kenya before being sent to fight the Argentinians.
“I saw terrible things in the Falklands, such as close friends being killed and injured. For a long time I spent every waking moment reliving the gunfire, screaming, chaos, smell of dead men. “When I came out of the armed services, I was aggressive, anxious and found it difficult to hold down a job. My marriage broke down and I ended up homeless. My mum used to say I went to the Falklands as a boy and came back an animal. She was right but, for a long time, I couldn’t see it. I finally swallowed my pride and accepted help.” The Falklands claimed the lives of 255 UK service personnel, with thousands more left physically and mentally injured. More than 260 British vets are estimated to have taken their own lives after the conflict. Donald, who is part of a team of OUR SPONSORS about 40 veterans who produce four million handmade poppies and 14,000 wreaths each year for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, said: “The Scottish Veterans Residences ended up saving my life. They put a roof over my head, gave me paid employment and put me in touch with a psychiatrist. I worked there for 14 years until I was made medically redundant.
“I could feel myself returning to my old aggressive ways so I contacted Combat Stress and they approached the Poppy Factory on my behalf and I have been working there ever since.
“My job making poppies and my therapy dog Biggles really did save my life. Sadly I lost Biggles last year but I now have Milo, who helps me stay calm.”
Donald, who will marry Wren veteran Anne Evans, 65, in 18 months, now does everything in his power to help other ex- soldiers. He said: “When you’re on the streets, you realise so many of those you meet are ex-Services. There is no one when you come out to point you in the right direction. In the Army your life is run for you but it’s not like that on Civvy Street. That’s why veterans should never hold back in asking for help.”
He added: “It’s been hard sharing my story but it’s been worth it as it has raised awareness and encouraged veterans to ask me for advice. I’m doing everything I can to help.
“I don’t seek any recognition but being nominated for a Scotland’s Champions award draws attention to the plight of all the former soldiers who are suffering from PTSD and need help.”
Nominations for this year’s Scotland’s Champions have closed and a judging panel will choose the winners from a shortlist. The gongs will be handed out on September 17 at a ceremony in the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central.