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Scottish poppy appeal launched Scottish poppy appeal launched
(about 5 hours later)
An advertising campaign for the 2009 Scottish Poppy Appeal has been launched.An advertising campaign for the 2009 Scottish Poppy Appeal has been launched.
Its theme is "Help heal the scars" and it concentrates on the physical and emotional scars faced by veterans returning from conflict. It has the theme "Help heal the scars" and concentrates on the physical and emotional scars faced by veterans returning from conflict.
It features young veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.It features young veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.
Poppyscotland hopes this year's appeal will help to dispel the myths that they only provide help and support to elderly veterans.Poppyscotland hopes this year's appeal will help to dispel the myths that they only provide help and support to elderly veterans.
Steve Beedie, 29, was left with post traumatic stress disorder after tours in Kosovo and Iraq. He featured in this year's Poppyscotland TV advertising campaign.Steve Beedie, 29, was left with post traumatic stress disorder after tours in Kosovo and Iraq. He featured in this year's Poppyscotland TV advertising campaign.
Some of these kids are just 18 or 19, just young enough to hold a pint really and they are coming home and really they're just a mess, they need help Steve BeedieEx-soldierSome of these kids are just 18 or 19, just young enough to hold a pint really and they are coming home and really they're just a mess, they need help Steve BeedieEx-soldier
He was just 18 and serving in Kosovo when he witnessed a teenager being blown up by a landmine. He went on to serve in Iraq, but left the army in 2004, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. He was just 18 and serving in Kosovo when he witnessed a teenager being blown up by a landmine. He went on to serve in Iraq, but left the army in 2004, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
After being medically discharged, Steve and his wife Lindsay, along with their three small children, returned to Aberdeenshire from England, but he said things went from bad to worse. After being medically discharged, Steve, his wife Lindsay and their three small children returned to Aberdeenshire from England, but he said things went from bad to worse.
His health deteriorated and he couldn't keep a job. They were in financial dire straights and were evicted from several properties. His health deteriorated and he could not keep a job. They had financial problems and were evicted from several properties.
Steve said he was too proud to seek help and it was in late 2006 that Lindsay herself contacted Poppyscotland.Steve said he was too proud to seek help and it was in late 2006 that Lindsay herself contacted Poppyscotland.
Steve says they arranged immediate financial & other help. Steve says they arranged immediate financial and other help.
'Absolutely fantastic''Absolutely fantastic'
They are now living in Portsoy and Steve is working in the offshore oil industry. They have since had a fourth child.They are now living in Portsoy and Steve is working in the offshore oil industry. They have since had a fourth child.
He said: "It is not much to ask, I think, to remember the old ones, you know the ones that have died in the first and second world wars.He said: "It is not much to ask, I think, to remember the old ones, you know the ones that have died in the first and second world wars.
"But there are some young ones coming out too and some of these kids are just 18 or 19, just young enough to hold a pint really and they are coming home and really they're just a mess, they need help.""But there are some young ones coming out too and some of these kids are just 18 or 19, just young enough to hold a pint really and they are coming home and really they're just a mess, they need help."
His wife Lindsay said:"Poppyscotland helped us financially and were absolutely fantastic.His wife Lindsay said:"Poppyscotland helped us financially and were absolutely fantastic.
"They were crucial to Steve's recovery, just lifting a weight off our shoulders and to have that help and support from Poppy Scotland gave us a way forward.""They were crucial to Steve's recovery, just lifting a weight off our shoulders and to have that help and support from Poppy Scotland gave us a way forward."
Last year's poppy appeal raised £2m, a 16% increase on the year before.Last year's poppy appeal raised £2m, a 16% increase on the year before.