HOMELESS TO HAPPY

Rifleman Daniel Parrack has served his country for more than 5 years with 3 RIFLES. He was injured on tour in Afghanistan in 2010, suffering damage to his right knee in a huge 62kg IED explosion that destroyed the Mastiff Dan was travelling in.

Since returning from tour, Dan has battled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and coping with his knee injury.

We first met Dan when he volunteered to be a member of the support crew for The Forces March 2012 in May. We were very taken by his attitude to helping others and his desire to try and rebuild his life, despite the immense difficulties he faces. We set about trying to help Dan to move forward.

Sadly when Dan left his unit and went on sick leave, most of his personal possessions were lost. We’ve helped Dan to replace many of them
with new clothes, a TV/DVD, stereo and a laptop. We’ve also helped Dan to restructure his finances and develop a focused outlook for his future. His confidence has grown enormously and he was feeling that things were finally starting to go well for him.

Dan had been living for the past 6 months in a Personnel Recovery Centre (PRC). Never intended to be a permanent housing solution but with nowhere else to go, it was home to Dan for the time being. Two weeks ago, with less than 24 hours notice, Dan was asked to clear his room and move out, over-crowding being the reason given. Devastated, Dan faced a very grave situation - homelessness. In an instant, all the confidence he had regained, vanished.

We immediately put Dan into a hotel near his family and friends and set to work searching for a more permanent housing solutionAfter numerous phone calls and several hours of paperwork and research, we eventually spoke with South Bucks District Council housing team – wonderful! The lady we spoke to sounded extremely interested and concerned in Dan’s plight and went away to discuss the matter with her department manager, assuring us of a call back before the day was out. This was at 16:45! After a meeting with SBDC the following Monday, a full recommendation was put forward to Paradigm Housing Group. The anxious and long wait began........ We continued to support Dan with hotel accommodation and making sure he was informed throughout the process but also making sure he had little to do. He had enough to worry about!

Incredibly just a few days later, Dan received a call from a letting officer at Paradigm Housing Group inviting Dan to view a 1 bedroom ground floor flat in Denham – just a few minutes from our offices and within 15-20 mins drive of his family and friends. Dan viewed the property today and after agreeing that it was suitable for his needs (it is actually a fantastic flat and Dan is over-the-moon!) he was handed the keys THERE AND THEN! The flat needs furnishing and an appliance or two, which we are already well on the way to sorting for him, but, it will be home –permanently! We would like to thank South Bucks District Council and Paradigm Housing Group for their incredible efficiency and support in helping us to rectify a situation that should never have occurred.

This is proof that when the right attitudes are combined with systems that work properly (and a bit of luck with timing too!), great things can be achieved for our Veterans. Actions are what make a difference to the lives of those who serve our country and now need our help.

We were extremely proud to get a text from Dan later saying simply “sooooooo happy!”.

This is how it should be. If you would like to help us do more to support our Veterans you can make a donation at www.justgiving.com/theveteranscharity or you could fundraise at your own event or challenge. Every pound makes a difference to the amount of help we can give!