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Charity registration number: 1195307
Our aim is to erect a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to remember our fellow brothers and sisters, lost to suicide after they have finished their service for their country.
This has been a turbulent time for everyone in the UK and the toll of isolation on the mental health of many has been heavy. There are many for whom previous military service has left mental scars which have been exacerbated by many different reasons. These people need and deserve our help. Those who have fallen to their illnesses should and will be remembered.
It is our hope that our efforts will raise further awareness of the struggle of veterans suffering from mental health issues and encourage more to seek help.
In addition the memorial, the 1st memorial to be built in the UK solely dedicated to Veteran suicide, will hopefully provide a place for contemplation and gathering for those affected by the loss of a friend or loved one through suicide.
With your support and generosity, we hope to raise the funds required for this memorial.
Fundraising
Following the success of our last expedition, kayaking from Liverpool to London, we are challenging ourselves again this year and will be back in the kayaks, this time paddling from Manchester to London. We will be setting off from Throstle Nest Bridge, near Old Trafford football stadium on the 18th August and will reach Limehouse Basin on the 31st. All support will be welcome, please see our blog for details of the route.
FAQs
Where will the memorial be?
The proposed site is the National Memorial Arboretum. The Arboretum is the UK’s year-round centre for remembrance at Alrewas, near Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Who will design and make the memorial?
We have agreed a fitting design with our chosen stonemasons
What help is there for ex service members to prevent suicide?
There are lots of charities offering help and advice to our fellow veterans.
Combat Stress provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues.
https://www.combatstress.org.uk/
PTSD Resolution provides counselling for former armed forces, reservists & families through a network of 200 therapists across the UK, specifically to address the issue of persistent trauma.
For The Fallen is a Social Enterprise and not for profit organisation. Their goal is to raise awareness and give a voice to the families left behind by military suicides.
SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, is a UK charity that provides lifelong support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents.
ABF The Soldiers' Charity, formerly the Army Benevolent Fund, is the national charity of the British Army. Since 1944, it has provided a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families when they are in need.
The Bridge for Heroes charity was established in September 2010 to provide mental health and wellbeing support for the HM Armed Forces Community, veterans and their families.
https://www.thebridgeforheroes.org
Help for Heroes provides lifelong support to Service Personnel and Military Veterans with injuries, illnesses and wounds sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces.
https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Op COURAGE: the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/
Veterans gateway provide support for veterans & ex-forces, helping them to find the information & advice they need for healthcare, housing, employment, finances and more.
https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/
The Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs (AFVBC) are a great meeting place to talk to fellow Veterans.
Where can you get help if you are having suicidal thoughts, and what can you do if you are worried about someone else?
Visit the NHS website for advice:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/
Or call the Combat Stress 24-hour helpline on 0800 138 1619 for confidential advice and support to veterans and their families.
Why Elysium?
Elysium or the Elysian Fields is a conception of the afterlife that developed over time and was maintained by some Greek religious and philosophical sects and cults.
Admission was reserved for mortals related to the gods and other heroes. Later, it expanded to include those chosen by the gods, the righteous, and the heroic, where they would remain after death, to live a blessed and happy life, and indulging in whatever employment they had enjoyed in life.
What is the logo at the top of the page?
"The weary hero" is designed to convey a visual representation of the mindset of those to whom the memorial is dedicated: the physically battle worn, mentally exhausted warrior.
Greco-Roman mythology said it was a decision of the gods that dictated which of the fallen were worthy of a place in Elysium.
The Elysium memorial foundation believes that those men and women who sadly lost their battles with mental health after honourably serving this country are worthy of recognition.
Many thanks to the logo designer: @bellammac
Thank you to our sponsors
TESTIMONIALS
"A sad consequence of armed conflict is that some of the sailors, soldiers and airmen on their return from operational service suffer mental anguish to an extent that they subsequently take their own lives: whilst less visible than the loss of those who gave their lives during operational service these losses are sometimes nonetheless as a result of that service. The Elysium Memorial at the National Arboretum will remember those who as a result of operational service subsequently took their own lives and provide a focus for their families." Colonel (Retired) NC Millen OBE.
"Chris served 21 years in the Army and deployed to every conflict zone, sometimes numerous times. The Army was his life, and he was willing to sacrifice himself for his country. Some people ask me why we need a memorial, do we not remember Chris every day? Yes, we do, he is never far from our lips or our minds. However, to know that he is remembered not just by us but his country brings a feeling of peace, a feeling of acceptance. One day I will be gone and the only person that will remember the true Chris will be our son. With a memorial others will know of the sacrifice made by so many. I feel it is only right that every Veteran that has taken their own life deserves to be remembered by the country and people that they served. Somewhere future generations of families can visit and know that their relative gave their all." Mandy Small (Cpl)