Army cadets will be on 'display' in fashion retailer New Look's store window in Crompton Place shopping centre, as they offer the public a gift wrapping service in the busy run-up to Christmas
A BOLTON fashion store has volunteered to help Forces’ veterans who suffer unseen wounds.
Army cadets will be on ‘display’ in fashion retailer New Look’s store window in Crompton Place shopping centre, as they offer the public a gift wrapping service in the busy run-up to Christmas.
Money raised will go to a lesser-known but vital charity, Combat Stress, which treats vets, who have suffered psychological wounds, and helps their families.
Four Greater Manchester army cadets from Bolton RA detachment, and a member of shop staff, will be in the Hotel Street shop window on December 15 and 16 and December 22, 23 and Christmas Eve, gift wrapping any items in return for a donation to the charity.
New Look’s Assistant Manager, Sam Boyle, said: “Our manager Nicki Halligan has friends in the forces and it was her idea to get the cadets in.
“As a company nationally we usually adopt a charity but this is something additional we decided to do ourselves. It will run next weekend alongside a friends and family event we have.
“Toni and Guy hairstylists will be in for a couple of hours on December 15 and 16 demonstrating styles which are available and we also have students who are doing the beauty course at Bolton College coming to do make-overs.
“Details of what is going on, including a 25% off offer, can be found on our Facebook site.”
Malcolm Angus, Crompton Place Manager, said: “The cadets at New Look are offering a very useful service and I would commend them for giving up their free time to come here and raise money for such a terrific cause.
“It was a very good idea of New Look to invite them and I am sure will help lessen the burden of Christmas shopping for some of our customers by making sure they not only have all their gifts but that they are already set to go under the tree.”
Instructor Sergeant Allison Hogg, who has been working with cadets for 12 years, said: “Having the shop window from New Look is a great opportunity for us. Combat Stress is not a charity in the public eye and is less well known.
“Basically it puts in place counselling and support groups, not just for vets’ but for families, for wives, partners and children. It helps cope with things like post traumatic stress and not being able to integrate back into society. It also runs a 24 hour helpline.”
A significant number of veterans leave the Armed Forces with psychological wounds which can lead to depression, phobias, anxiety, relationship problems and, in some cases, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The charity offers specialist clinical treatment at three short-stay residential treatment centres in Shropshire, Surrey and Ayrshire.
Helping with the gift wrap will be 16-year-old sixth former Bombardier Glenn Lloyd-Calligan from Breightmet.
His father Peter was a civilian IT worker helping to fix army computers in the Iraq war and knows only too well the legacy of living with the constant threat of mortar fire.
“I’ve been in the army cadets for two years and hope I can join and become an officer in the Royal Signals,” said Glenn. “We’ve had lectures about the impact of stress on veterans and their families and this is a very worthwhile charity.
“I have another year at sixth form college and then hope to go to university and apply to Sandhurst.”
Glenn also has a brother-in-law who is a sergeant instructor with the Royal Horse Artillery, who has seen service in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Combat Stress 24-hour Helpline: 0800 138 1619, text: 07537 404 719 (standard charges may apply for texts) or email: combat.stress@rethink.org
