Today Dr Fox launched ‘Give Us Time’, a new initiative which will provide holiday homes for armed services families. It has been set up in partnership with the registered charity, Afghan Heroes, founded by the mothers of soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Herrick 10.
Give Us Time aims to help the families of those recovering from the trauma of combat to adjust in a relaxed environment and on neutral ground. Those who have lost a loved one, experienced family breakdown from the absence of a family member for extended periods of time, or have suffered from mental stress and physical injury as a result of combat will benefit from the new project.
Dr Fox said:
“During my time as Secretary of State for Defence I was extremely heartened to see how we improved the treatment of those who had been physically injured in combat.
“Medical improvements in prosthetics, better physiotherapy and improved social attitudes all contributed to a better chance of rehabilitation. In terms of psychological trauma - the invisible scars of war - we are making progress, though perhaps at a slower rate.
“One of the areas where I think there remains room for improvement is the integration of service families into this equation...As a doctor working with the Armed Forces I learned the importance of seeing our personnel, not as isolated individuals, but as members of a wider family and community dynamic.”
The website has been launched today and members of the public and organisations are encouraged to donate a week of time in their Timeshare property, holiday property or second home that they are not using, to service personnel and their families via www.giveustime.org.uk.
Denise Harris, founder of Afghan Heroes added:
""Give Us Time is a fantastic initiative and will go a long way to help those who have put their lives on the line readjust to a normal civilian life.”
Give Us Time has arrived at the launch date with not a single penny having been spent, but owes its existence to the generous donation of time and resources given by various partner organisations including Serco, VenueDirectory.com, Fanatic, and Cobweb. This really shows what can be achieved by calling on the ‘Big Society’ to help service personnel most in need of the nation’s support.
click here to download Give Us Time - Poster
For further information please visit www.giveustime.org.uk or www.aghanheroes.org.uk
To watch Dr Fox's interview with the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) please follow the link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMHLg7sECBQ