Dan Clarke, who spent four years as an aircraft maintenance mechanic in the RAF, is running the London Marathon for Veterans Aid; the charity that once helped him.
Dan said, “I’m doing it to raise money for a great charity that has helped me to get where I am now.”
A few years ago he was in crisis: “I first went to Veterans Aid in 2012 after finding myself homeless and on the streets of London, with no money, no place to go and no hope.”
He recalls Veterans Aid’s swift intervention when he first arrived at its Drop-in Centre;
“After confirming that I did indeed serve they didn’t ask any further questions. They found me a hotel to stay in over the weekend and asked me to come back on Monday. They even provided me with a meal and some shopping vouchers to get me through the weekend. On that Monday I moved in to VA’s hostel in East London, where the real help began. They provided me with clothes, cleaning products, my own room, mental and physical medical help and most of all HOPE!”
“I stayed there for a year or so and during this time they sent me on training courses, events and even found me a new place to live.”
The help continued after Dan moved out. “After getting into a bit of a trouble they paid for my rehab to finally get rid of my demons!”
Today Dan lives an independent life; he’s been addiction-free for more than a year, is back at college and working part-time.
“Without the help of Veterans Aid there is no saying where I would be right now. They are a charity not well known to ex-service personnel, but the help they provide is amazing and my gratitude to them is beyond words!
That’s why I wish to raise as much as possible… I know all the money will go to another veteran in crisis who needs the help and support I received.”
You can show your support and donate money to Dan’s JustGiving page.
Picture (below): Dan with former NBH hostel residents at a dinner organised by the Patron, The Dowager Viscountess Rothermere, at St John’s Smith Square in 2013.
