£2 million shortfall in funds contributing to 'mounting crisis' for returning Navy personnel, warns charity
Three out of four people believe that the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are not recognised for their role in the UK's major operations abroad, according to a new NOP poll released today by Seafarers UK. The charity has launched a campaign to highlight the huge increase in need among the seafaring community, including Royal Navy and Royal Marines charities, and the funding crisis Seafarers UK faces in meeting this need.
77% of people questioned believe that returning personnel do not receive enough support to manage the huge problems they and their families face back in the UK, whilst the same number of people are unaware that the Royal Navy and Royal Marines have at times made up 52% of serving personnel in Afghanistan over the past 12 months.
Seafarers UK has today described its £2million funding gap as a 'mounting crisis' leaving many of the thousands of seafarers, including those who have served in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, in desperate need of help for basic needs such as housing, financial and emotional support.
Seafarers UK says:
By autumn this year there will be 4,000 Royal Navy and Royal Marines serving in Afghanistan – more than half of all serving personnel
There are currently 1,400 serving Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel in Afghanistan
48% of people are unaware that the Royal Marines is part of the Royal Navy
Director General of Seafarers UK, Barry Bryant, said:
"These men and women put their lives on the line for us and many face enormous hardship when they return to Britain.
It is clear that people see the Royal Navy and Royal Marines as our forgotten heroes and want much more support to them and their families when they get home. Charitable resources are stretched more and more and we urgently need to fill this funding gap to be able to provide the help that is needed."
One ex-serving Navy Officer said :
"When I returned from Afghahistan earlier this year I found it incredibly hard adapting back into normal life, and I have been signed off with post-traumatic stress disorder. The help I got from naval charities has helped me get back on my feet and I don't know what I would have done without it."
This story was featured on several news websites, for further info please see below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7419691.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2028020/Royal-Navy-and-Marines-are-forgotten-heroes.html