I am a 50 year old disabled ex-serviceman in receipt of a War Disability Pension, and apart from six years voluntary ex-service welfare work; 1994 – 2000:

• SSAFA Divisional Secretary for Wishaw & Motherwell
• SSAFA Case Worker for West Lothian Division
• Welfare Support Visitor for the War Pensioners’ Welfare Service
• Member of the Central Scotland War Pension Committee
• Pensions & Welfare Officer for the RBL Scotland (Wishaw & Hamilton Branches)
• Welfare Officer for the Scottish Branch of the REME Association
• Welfare Coordinator (Scotland) for The National Gulf Veterans’ & Families Association

I have been unable to do full or part-time work since leaving the army in 1993.

Via the Forces Discounts MOD website which is the official MoD online discount directory, I discovered earlier this year that I and other veterans’ are still entitled to the forces discount we received while still serving.

One of the firms listed in the directory Satmap Systems Ltd (SSL) run by two former officer’s (one RAF and the other Army) are bring out a new GPS unit. I contacted them for more information and happened to mention that I am interested in photography; this has led to them sponsoring me by loaning me their GPS unit, accessories and digital mapping software. In return, I have to reconnoitre and prepare route articles for use by disabled people which they will be selling on secure digital cards; I will have my Active 10 and accessories sometime in the following week.

The Managing Director has informed me that by law to keep themselves right that they have to pay me for any route articles they use, even though I have stated from the start that I am not looking to gain financially from the project, as I’m more interested in doing the articles for the therapeutic benefit to myself and encouraging other disabled people. I have accepted their offer and terms of payment and signed a contract to this effect. However, it is my intention that any residual monies left after I cover my expenses be donated to:

• The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT)
• The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF)
• The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF)
• The Royal British Legion (RBL)
• The Scottish Poppy Appeal (SPA)
• The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

Please visit my website, to find out more about my project and how I intend to raise the funds.

Thanks in advance,

Brian Straiton