Veteran who heartbreakingly lost twins at birth wants to help others

Jamie Davidson, 37, from Runcorn, Castlefields, alongside his friend Wayne Conway will hold the joint function on Friday 2 May, at the Halfway House in Runcorn, with money raised going towards the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) and Getting Soldiers and Veterans off the street.

Jamie, who left the British Army after 23 years' service in the Royal Logistics Corps, credits joining his local darts team for pulling him out of a dark place after the death of his twin boys and a divorce left him without a purpose.

He said: "Since leaving the Forces two years ago I have been put through the mill, from suffering depression to losing everything

"I recently joined the Halfway House local darts team and it was the best move I ever made and I have never looked back.

"The support from the licensees Mandy/Terry and Gemma Schon and the welcome received by the team has been nothing short of excellent - fantastic team camaraderie and full of brilliant players."

Jamie and Wayne, who met through darts, will be entering this year's Tough Mudder – a gruelling 10-mile-course with 27 of the most horrible obstacles within the fastest time possible, to raise money for the two charities.

He added: "I lost twin boys 15 years' ago to an illness that we where unaware about. They obtained an illness called twin to twin transfusion, something that couldn’t be helped.

"Me and my little boy Owen at the time had to sit and watch my wife give birth to our dead twin boys. We were given approximately two hours to say goodbye to our twins as they lay there in a basket next to one another, something that broke mine and everyone's heart and something that's never been repaired.

"We were approached by the chaplin of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and he asked if we had sufficient funds to bury the boys, we said no we didn’t, but he put us in contact with a charity called SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society).

"They were fantastic and paid for the burial and everything else that we needed support-wise. To this day it’s a charity that I hold close to my heart and always will till my last days. So made it my priority to raise money every year or when possible as SANDS helped me and my family through the most difficult times."

Jamie also chose Getting Veterans off the Street charity as he feels more should be done for ex Army when they are deployed home.

He added: "Upon leaving the Army I found a house and I encountered a few problems in regards to people in the area thought with me having been in the forces that I would be looking for trouble with the reputation the Army has.

Some of Jamie's medals

"My sole intention was to make friends and settle in to the community. This was frowned upon and I was forced to move through threats and my house being egged and all other types of stuff. I suffered through those rough months as my children didn’t want to come and stay as too much was going on. I reached out for help through combat stress and my local GP, but nothing ever came from it. I still suffer to date with depression and have my outbursts now and again.

"I do believe, after leaving the Army that, there wasn’t for me and still there is no mental health support.

"I do think that homeless veterans are on the rise due to the lack of support or in place framework that is needed by the MOD. They are quick enough enlisting you but pretty much like anything - once your time is up they leave you to rot on the scrapheap.

"It's only people that are close to me help me through it. I would hope that one day someone could direct me in the right direction and get the help I need."

On the day there will be signed sporting memorabilia up for auction alongside a raffle, a DJ and food for all competitors.

Jamie, who is now settled with his girlfriend Nicola and works as a shunter/forklift operator added: "It would be nice to have the support of the local community to attend the fundraising event."

If you would like to get involved drop in to the Halfway House or give them a call on 01928 798789.