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To find out more about Combat Stress please go to:

Or write to: Combat Stress, Tyrwhitt House, Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BX

Or call: 01372 587 000

My father was a Regimental Sergeant Major who bravely served his country in the Second World War. Unbeknown to my family, however, he returned home from France suffering from the invisible wounds of shell shock, today known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Such was the extent of his psychological injuries that they had a profound impact on his character and his relationship with his family. He became an angry, unhappy and frustrated man. As a child I frequently witnessed his emotional outbursts, all too often directed at my mother.

Two years ago I learned of my late father鈥檚 condition. Speaking to Combat Stress I came to understand how the trauma would have affected him on a daily basis. He was probably plagued by nightmares and flashbacks, feelings of isolation and, through all this, an inability to communicate what was happening to him.

Since 1919 Combat Stress has helped more than 100,000 ex-Service men and women across the UK to rebuild their lives by giving them access to specialist treatment, support and advice. Today their work is more in demand than ever before.

I support Combat Stress because their work saves lives and helps the Veterans鈥� families to understand and support them. Thousands of ex-Service men and women are suffering in silence like my father did but with your support Combat Stress can help them.

I hope the Lifeline appeal will inspire you to support men and women who have given so much for this country and who now need their country to be there for them.

Combat Stress is the UK鈥檚 leading military charity specialising in the care of Veterans鈥� mental health.

Founded in 1919, we have since supported more than 100,000 ex-Service men and women suffering from mental health conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety.

Our work saves lives and is as vital today as it has ever been. However, our services have never been more in demand. Last year Combat Stress saw a 12% increase in referrals, with a growing number of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans seeking our help. Today Combat Stress is treating more than 5,400 ex-Service men and women across the UK, including 800 who served in Iraq and 520 who served in Afghanistan.

To help Veterans rebuild their lives Combat Stress provides specialist trauma-focused treatment at three treatment centres in Ayrshire, Shropshire and Surrey, as well as practical and clinical support in the community. Combat Stress also operates a 24-hour Helpline for Veterans, serving personnel and their families (0800 138 1619).

Your donation will enable Combat Stress to deliver specialist care to thousands of Veterans across the UK living with psychological injuries sustained in service to their country. Thank you for your support.

James Saunders always knew he was going to join the army and signed up at the age of 17. He was deployed to the first Gulf War 3 years later .

James said, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e constantly on alert, anything could happen at any time鈥�.

Despite the stress of the conflict, James was thriving in the military, and upon returning home found out he was due to be a father. But things took a turn for the worse following a devastating personal tragedy.

He said, 鈥淢y relationship deteriorated with my partner at the time, and unfortunately she lost the baby at birth, and that was my trigger鈥�.

Using drugs and alcohol to cope, and suffering from flashbacks to his time on the battlefield, James found his life spinning out of control.聽Thankfully, he discovered Combat Stress, who helped him to get his life back on track.

He said 鈥� Combat Stress provided support, they provided care at every turn they鈥檝e provided something to allow me to take those steps on my own鈥�.

Gary Driscoll joined the army at the age of 19 and after 5 months of training was posted to Northern Ireland.

Gary said, 鈥淲ithin the five tours, I think there had been about six guys I had known who had died鈥�.

After leaving the army, Gary鈥檚 symptoms of PTSD started to become clear to his wife.

He said, 鈥淚 was getting to drink too much.聽After a while the anger started to show.聽She would then get quite scared, thinking 鈥榳ho is this guy? He鈥檚 a different person鈥欌��.

Gary鈥檚 relationship was on the brink, but Combat Stress came to their assistance.

He said, 鈥淐ombat Stress teaches you to think about how to turn that switch off鈥�.