MEET THE TEAM BEHIND OUR MILITARY AND BLUE LIGHT SERVICE CHARITY
Founded in 2016 by two former serving soldiers, Calum MacLeod and Colin Maclachlan, Who Dares Cares has a team of volunteers committed to supporting our Armed Forces and Blue Light Services personnel, including their families, who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
MEET OUR FOUNDERS, CALUM AND COLIN
After Colin and Cammy met, sharing their own stories, and becoming friends, bound by their own experiences, they both realised they could help so many other people, who are left ‘alone’ to deal with their experiences, thoughts and traumas. They decided to build a platform that would provide help and support to individuals and their families, all in the way of Who Dares Cares.
COLIN'S STORY
I joined the Army at the age of 15 after a troubled childhood and passed initial selection into the Special Air Service (SAS), first time, aged only 23. After being captured, stripped naked and mock executions carried out, I then left active service from the SAS. I was troubled by a lot of the experiences that I had faced, but also troubled that so many of my friends and colleagues also suffered from many of the same or similar experiences as myself. But what troubled me most of all was losing a lot of them, including my brother, to suicide.
CALUM'S STORY
I joined the Army at the age of 19, a boyhood dream. I served with the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB), along with many other cap badges over the years. On the 17th May 1992, I was involved in a horrific incident that left me with lasting and devastating effects on my career and personal life. Whilst serving in the KOSB and Parachute Regiment, I was taken by Republicans in Northern Ireland, beaten to near-death, until rescued by the actions of a paratrooper, and told in hospital that I was the luckiest man alive. After all the beatings and having concrete slabs dropped on my head, I didn’t think it could have gotten any worse for me, but the Republicans made an attempt to shoot me in my head.
I was only saved by the trigger of the weapon failing to fire. Again, I was rescued by my fellow soldiers and treated for both my physical and mental wounds. After the physical wounds healed, the mental ones went unnoticed and I continued to serve until 2011 and retired after 24 years because of the injuries that I sustained over the years – both physical and mental. After leaving active service, I received very little help and I struggled to cope which resulted in an attempt at taking my own life, the same as many of my former friends and colleagues had done.
MEET OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our board of trustees is made up of volunteers who share the founders' desire to help and support other PTSD sufferers and their families. We’ve operated our military charity to the highest standards since 2016.
GEORGE
Treasurer/Secretary
George enlisted into the Armed Forces in May 1995 and served with The King’s Own Scottish Borderers 1995 – 2002 then transferred to The AGC(SPS), leaving the Army in September 2017. George completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and the Falklands. George is currently employed by the Scottish Government within the Procurement and Commercial Policy and Strategy Division as a Personal and Finance Assistant. George brings with him a vast amount of financial charitable sector experience having been the Treasurer for the Herford, Germany SSAFA Branch 2014 – 2015. George is also a volunteer for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the administrator for the Livingston North Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, the Who Dares Cares West Lothian Walk, Talk and Brew Group and is a Military Veteran Champion for the Scottish Government.
KEVIN
Fundraiser and Events Co-ordinator
Kevin owns and operates successful businesses within the Transport Industry and has done this over the last 20 years and has had success within the custom motorbike world. Kevin is a member of organisations that help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in local communities and is constantly fundraising for their benefit, his experience in this field is a great asset to Who Dares Cares. Kevin has been a supporter and a fundraiser for Who Dares Cares since 2017 and became a Trustee of the charity March 2022 as a voluntary fundraiser and events co-ordinator.
NIKKI
Mental Health Adviser
Nikki has been a Mental Health Nurse since 2004 and has worked in various settings, including working with Veterans with diagnosed PTSD or other Mental Health issues.
Nikki heard of Who Dares Cares through Calum when attending Alba Military Fitness sessions and offered to become a volunteer for the charity due to her background in nursing and a genuine wish to help Veterans and members of the Blue Light Services. Nikki has been a voluntary member of the charity since 2017 and brings with her a vast amount of knowledge and experience within her Mental Health Advisor role. Nikki meets with Veterans and members of the Blue Light Services who needs some additional support and signposting to address PTSD and encourage attendance to other projects Who Dares Cares run. Nikki works closely with Police Scotland in providing Mental Health support training and enjoys getting involved with the outdoor events the charity offers to our Armed Forces and Blue Light Services personnel.
STEVE
Alcohol and Drugs Adviser
Steve joined the Armed Forces in January 1979. He trained as a Vehicle Mechanic in The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and served most of his military career in West Germany. During this time, he completed 2 operational tours of Northern Ireland, in Belfast and South Armagh. He is currently employed by the City of Edinburgh Council as a School Bus Driver and is also a fully qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
Steve is also a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for more than 20 years and for this reason is Who Dares Cares Drug and Alcohol Adviser, bringing a wealth of first-hand knowledge and experience in his role. In his words “I have been there, seen it, done it, and got the T shirt.” This lived experience helps those who reach out for help in this area to talk to someone who knows what they are going through in a safe and non-judgemental space.
'WHO DARES CARES'
- WHAT DOES OUR MOTTO MEAN?
The meaning of our motto and charity name is that we dare you to care, to become active in our charity work, to support our activities and to take part and raise funds to help our future activities.
Looking for PTSD support from fellow Armed Forces members? Call Who Dares Cares now on 07341 872805.
We’re available on the phone 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. However, outside of these hours, you can get in touch with us via our Facebook page, or our contact form.