Combat Stress lecture a sell out
Published 10 Aug 2012 09:30
Share this
The BBC's Special Correspondent, Allan Little is this year's guest speaker at the annual Combat Stress Summer Lecture in Edinburgh on Tuesday 21 August, when he will share some of his compelling experiences of reporting from war zones.
The lecture has attracted a huge amount of interest and has already sold out with 200 guests attending the event.
It also aims to increase awareness of the work Combat Stress carries out and help raise funds for the UK's leading charity, specialising in the care of Veterans' mental health.
Currently Combat Stress provides support for 711 ex-service men and women in Scotland and a network of multi-disciplinary Community Outreach services, in addition to short stay treatment at Hollybush House near Patna.
Allan is no stranger to the impact war has on the lives of those who put themselves on the line for our country. Having covered conflicts across the globe for almost 30 years, Allan has reported from more than 60 countries. Born and raised in Galloway and educated at Edinburgh University, he joined BBC Scotland in 1983 before moving to London to join Radio 4's Today programme, on which he later spent four years presenting.
Speaking ahead of the lecture Allan said, "I am delighted and honoured to be giving this year's Combat Stress lecture. It is an opportunity for me to reflect on the business of bringing back the news from fast moving and unpredictable places. Much of my career has been spent bearing witness to war and political and social upheaval. It has given me the opportunity to see for myself the damage that war does not only physically but mentally. I am looking forward to sharing some of my own experiences of what war does.
"It is also a chance to remind people about the invaluable work that Combat Stress does in Scotland and throughout the UK to support Veterans whose mental health has been affected. I have often reported on UK servicemen and women in action both as peace-keepers and war-fighters, and I have come to believe that it is vital that there should be the support for those who need it in what can be a very difficult transition back to peace time and ordinary life."
Kath Provan, Fundraising Officer for Combat Stress in Scotland also adds, "Allan is very well respected in his field and it is not surprising that he has attracted a lot of interest and attention as a result of his experience and insights into warfare. I have no doubt his presentation will be thought provoking and engaging.
"This is a key event in the calendar for Combat Stress in Scotland and we are looking forward to welcoming old and new faces, to help drive forward our efforts to keep the charity in the spotlight, allowing us to continue to support Veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health problems."
The lecture will be taking place on Tuesday 21 August at 12pm at Edinburgh Napier University's Craiglockhart Campus.
Combat Stress launched 'The Enemy Within Appeal' in March 2010, which aims to raise money to ensure that all Veterans in the UK have access to prompt treatment, care and support, raise awareness of their needs and encourage them and their families to seek help sooner.
To find out more about Combat Stress go to www.combatstress.org.uk . The Combat Stress 24 hour Helpline is available to Veterans and their families on 0800 138 1619.
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
