ABOUT 60 Army veterans and their families took part in a fun weekend at The Hub, in Barnard Castle, during an initiative to improve the mental health of former servicemen and women.
Sporting Force, which was started by Butterknowle’s Tommy Lowther, who served in the The First Battalion the Light Infantry before he was medically discharged.
Since its launch, the charity has helped more than 7,000 veterans who suffer with mental health problems following their time in the armed forces.
The residential weekend at The Hub coincided with World Mental Health Day on Sunday, October 10.
Mr Lowther said: “It’s not the first time Sporting Force has run a residential but we normally use another organisation. I thought I’d rather use the Hub and bring it back to Teesdale.”
A range of outdoor activities included canoeing, high rope climbing and a cricket session with Jack Warren, Durham County Cricket Club’s community development officer.
Mr Lowther added: “Mental health is something most people think about one day a year, but it is something that at Sporting Force we think about every day.
“In light of the whole thing with Afghanistan kicking off earlier this month there are many people thinking what was the point of the last 20 years. We have lost friends, family and people have lost limbs and I was trying to get them into the mindset that it was worth it.
“There are many Afghani people that are in a better place because of our involvement.
“Things like this [residential] really help.”
Attendees were also encouraged to take part in a mental health workshop run by Mr Lowther where he helps people to understand “it’s okay to be not okay”.
