The chief of the Healing the Wounds charity has criticised the Welsh Assembly Government and Health Minister Edwina Hart for snubbing the fund-raisers.
The Executive Director of Healing the Wounds, the charity that is working to help Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans and their families in Wales, said he was desperately unhappy about the response of the WAG.
“We have requested meetings with Health Minister Edwina Hart, but she has declined to speak to the charity,” said Kevin Richards.
“Also, there was a distinct element of farce about our most recent meeting with the WAG’s officials.”
The charity is still looking for suitable premises for a Welsh convalescent home and treatment facility for victims of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
Last week, the charity announced it had been forced to drop its plans to site a home at the historic Golden Grove Mansion House in the Tywi Valley.
“The mansion has reached such a stage of dereliction that it is no longer viable for the project,” said Mr Richards. “We remain, however, committed to finding a suitable site in Wales and we have been seeking help from the WAG.”
Mr Richards said that a recent meeting with the WAG turned out to be a ‘sham’.
He explained: “I was informed that Marc Boggett and Peter Meredith-Smith would be attending the proposed meeting to discuss Healing the Wounds. Peter is the Deputy Head of the Mental Health Division (which includes healthcare of veterans) and also Nursing Officer.
“At the meeting we were informed that Peter Meredith-Smith will be leaving his position. That being the case, why not arrange the meeting with the incoming official and not make a sham of the arranged meeting with Healing The Wounds?
“The request for this meeting came from Jonathan Edwards, the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr Plaid Cymru MP and was sent directly to the Health Minister.
“We were informed that they do not give grants to purchase properties.
“But how then did Edwina Hart make a big announcement last year of the award of a £900,000 grant to the St John Ambulance?
“That money was to secure a building to house vehicles and to enhance training facilities for St John volunteers.
We require a building not to store and repair vehicles, but to repair the shattered lives and families of Welsh servicemen and women who have served their nation with pride.
“We also need to train dedicated PTSD staff.
“Our men and women of the forces need the support of the WAG to help them in their time of need.
“We cannot pin a medal to Edwina Hart’s chest as the St John Ambulance has done.
“So, we must question her position in not supporting a Welsh charity for the Welsh armed forces veterans and their families.
“If Edwina Hart cannot provide this to our Welsh warriors, what is she still doing in a position that should at all costs ensure the welfare of our veterans in Wales?
“Edwina Hart wears a medal for providing a building for vehicles. Our Welsh Warriors wear medals for courage.
“We must have a facility within Wales for the treatment of PTSD. These facilities already exist in England, Scotland and Ireland.”
Mr Richards said that following the Golden Grove decision the charity was working tirelessly to find another suitable location for a convalescent home and treatment facility.
Mr Richards said it was crucial for people to continue to support the charity.
“Some people may try to brand the project as unfeasible. But nothing is further from the truth. We have raised more than £120,000 over the last 12 months and we are already working to make sure that money is spent on people who need treatment for PTSD.
“In fact, we have been able to send people on treatment courses for PTSD.
“Our aim remains what it was at the outset – to make sure that people who deserve it receive the best possible care. And, of course, we want those people to receive that care in Wales.
“With that in mind, we also have people attending training courses in PTSD treatment. The efforts here will enable us to have key personnel here in Wales who can provide the proper treatment for people with PTSD.
“Those are the building blocks for the future work of the charity. Investing in the people who need treatment and who need to be trained to provide treatment is just a part of what we are about.
“Of course, the more physical building blocks come when we secure a building for use as a convalescent home and treatment facility.
“So far, our work has struck a powerful emotional chord with the people of Wales, who appreciate the fact that the money they raise will be spent in Wales and will benefit our Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans and their families.
“This is, of course, very different to the approach of other high profile armed services charities who collect money within Wales, but give little or no assurance that the money will be spent within Wales.”
“Our mission remains what it was at the outset – to raise funds for a suitable facility within Wales for the treatment of Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans and their families, who are suffering from stress-related illnesses such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). So we appeal to the people of Wales to continue their support for the charity.”
The charity’s website is at http://www.healingthewounds.co.uk/
