Last Sunday 6th November at 11am courtesy of the Llanelli Veterans Association, Nia Griffith MP raised over £1500 by taking part in a sponsored abseil at Dinas Rock in Pontneddfechan, with all proceeds going to ‘Combat Stress’, the UK’s leading military charity specialising in the care of Veterans’ mental health.
She carried out a 200ft solo descent from the top of the rock, even managing to negotiate obstacles on the way down without falling off!
Lt Col David Mathias, President of the Llanelli Veterans Association, congratulated the MP on her descent, and Gwyn Daniel, the Chairman added, “She is to be commended for her courage and daring. She’s a very brave lady.”
Nia Griffith MP responded by saying
“ I’d like to thank Gareth Mathias for organising the event and coaxing me off the edge, and the President of the Llanelli Veterans Association Lt Col David Mathias, their Chairman Gwyn Daniel and all the members of the Llanelli Veterans Association who came out to encourage me or have helped collect sponsorship money. I am delighted that they have chosen Combat Stress as their charity this year, because, for too long we have paid insufficient attention to the devastating mental health effects that servicemen and women can suffer as a result of their service career. It has been a privilege to take part I this event, and I know that this money will be well-used by Combat Stress here in Wales.”
Jake Rattray of Combat Stress, who covers the whole of the South and West Wales area said, “ We depend on donations to carry out the valuable work of the organisation and are very grateful to all who contribute to events like this.”
Combat Stress’ work is crucial to Veterans’ adjustment to their post-Service life, looking after our men and women who are suffering from a psychological condition related to their Service career. It is a service that has been free of charge since after the First World War.
They are currently in the middle of a three-year fundraising campaign, ‘The Enemy Within Appeal’, launched by The Prince of Wales.