Using Overlanding To Help Veterans

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Polaris Overland

Polaris Overland

Ambassador, Europe
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11,171
Newtonhill, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, UK
First Name
Dave
Last Name
Spinks
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3057

Service Branch
Royal Navy Veteran
Here in the UK like many other countries we have an issue with PTSD and other health problems associated with our veterans who have served and fought for their country committing suicide or failing to integrate into society after leaving the forces.

OB member Billy along with other OB members and supporters offer these veterans an outlet to growth and recovery.
They do this through their charity Veterans in Action and part of that is Veterans Expedition Overland.

The guys get together and rebuild their vehicles and then use those same vehicles to overland throughout the UK, Europe and soon a trip to North Africa.

You can follow their progress as the rebuild their latest vehicle a 110 Land Rover Defender and see some of their trips and work they do.

Simply by subscribing, viewing and commenting on their videos you are doing something to help support our injured veterans and that support is very much appreciated and needed.

 
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M Rose

M Rose

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Michael
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Rose
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US ARMY Retired
Wow Dave, this gave me the shivers.... in a good way. Being a Vet struggling with PTSD along with other psychological disabilities brought on by the military this hits very close to home for me. When I got medically discharged from the service I was told by the Army Doctors that two of my physical conditions would leave me in a wheelchair before I turned 40. I got into a severe depressive funk thinking my outdoor life style would be lost forever. But to make the most of the rest of my 30’s I started taking camping trips every weekend, exploring the outdoor world around me every chance I got. I started venturing further and further from home. And I found the more I am out exploring, fishing, hunting, and camping, the less my pains are and the better I feel about my self. Now at 41 years young, I just spent 2 whole days in a car, something I couldn’t have accomplished 10 years a go. No wheel chairs in site for this guy (at least not yet) the doctors still say that my conditions will leave me with limited mobility over time, but if I keep fighting the pain and pushing myself to my limits I will continue to live a full life.

Thanks to Overlanding. It saved my life...Maybe it could save yours as well.
 
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Polaris Overland

Polaris Overland

Ambassador, Europe
Moderator
Member
Member

Pioneer I

11,171
Newtonhill, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, UK
First Name
Dave
Last Name
Spinks
Member #

3057

Service Branch
Royal Navy Veteran
@Slimpartywagon it is a sad reflection on our societies that there is a need for these type of charities to help take care of our wounded (physical & mental) veterans.
However seeing Billy and his guys having such a positive affect on the veterans they help is something special. They never turn anyone away needing help, pulling out all the stops to get them the support they need. The trips they do are just a start in a process of rehabilitation mentally and physically back into society.
I am ex forces myself serving in the RN for 14 years through conflicts such as the Falklands and the first Gulf War so this support is also personal for me.

I hope you continue to prove the doctors wrong and enjoy a full life.
 
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M Rose

M Rose

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Northeast Oregon, United States
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Michael
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Rose
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W7FSB
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US ARMY Retired
Polaris Overland said:
@Slimpartywagon it is a sad reflection on our societies that there is a need for these type of charities to help take care of our wounded (physical & mental) veterans.
However seeing Billy and his guys having such a positive affect on the veterans they help is something special. They never turn anyone away needing help, pulling out all the stops to get them the support they need. The trips they do are just a start in a process of rehabilitation mentally and physically back into society.
I am ex forces myself serving in the RN for 14 years through conflicts such as the Falklands and the first Gulf War so this support is also personal for me.

I hope you continue to prove the doctors wrong and enjoy a full life.
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It is sad that these kinds of organizations need to exist. I didnt (and still don’t) have that kind of local support group, but I am going to get one started in my area. we do have a fishing/hunting group here... but getting in is very hard. I believe every Veteran should be able to join this type of group no matter what their disability status is.
 
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viacharity

viacharity

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233
Hampshire UK
First Name
Billy
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MacLeod
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20223

Many thanks for the support :Polaris Overland your support means a lot to us as well as the OB Community in West Europe. We joined OB after meeting with you as we see OB as the perfect transition for the veterans we help to get involved in the overland community. It is perfect for many service personnel and their families. If I could ask a huge favour from the OB Community and that is to go on to our You Tube Channel and SUBSCRIBE to our channel and to LIKE and COMMENT on our videos as this helps our channel grow and reach more veterans. It would be greatly appreciated
 
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enjoitheride

enjoitheride

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Being a veteran myself, and knowing people who have committed suicide, this is a wonderful thing. Much respect to the guys, and the cause. Thank you for your service! Much love, Christopher
 
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viacharity

viacharity

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enjoitheride said:
Being a veteran myself, and knowing people who have committed suicide, this is a wonderful thing. Much respect to the guys, and the cause. Thank you for your service! Much love, Christopher
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Many thanks Christopher, this is only one project we run but it has been incredibly successful and we have seen huge results from it. Follow the story of us building vehicles in Season 1 of our You Tube Channel and Season 2 where we use them to undertake an overland expedition.
 
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viacharity

viacharity

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huachuca said:
'Liked' and 'Followed' - Looking forward to catching up on all the episodes.

Big thanks to everyone who supports this.

Al - Sgt US Army 69-70
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Fantastic to see our US veterans starting to watch our series, we would love to come over to the US to do this there
 
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Sparksalot

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viacharity said:
CHeers pal see if you can get some of your army buddies to have a watch you never know we may just reach some who are struggling
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I cant find the episode again where Billy, I think, mentioned the shock once he was dischaged, and the sudden loss of his support system.
 
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viacharity

viacharity

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TahoePPV said:
I cant find the episode again where Billy, I think, mentioned the shock once he was dischaged, and the sudden loss of his support system.
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Was this in the new series mate as can't remember the episode myself. It is exactly that though one day we have 200 friends then we walk out that camp gate for the last time and we have no-one. The military have changed us so we don't fit in with our friends from before the forces so we become lost. What we have tried to create with Veterans In Action is a sense of belonging again and we believe it works very well
 
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Sparksalot

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viacharity said:
Was this in the new series mate as can't remember the episode myself. It is exactly that though one day we have 200 friends then we walk out that camp gate for the last time and we have no-one. The military have changed us so we don't fit in with our friends from before the forces so we become lost. What we have tried to create with Veterans In Action is a sense of belonging again and we believe it works very well
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Exactly. I wanted to find the episode again and make a comment. It hit home for me after 25 years.
 
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