Combat Stress

The Enemy Within Appeal

Combat Stress is one of Britain’s leading charities working with Service Veterans’ mental health problems, like post traumatic stress disorder.

The ‘Enemy Within’ Appeal was launched by HRH The Prince of Wales, the Patron of Combat Stress, on 11th March 2010 to raise funds to:

Transform mental health services for Veterans
Raise awareness of the plight of Veterans suffering from psychological injuries
Encourage Veterans and their families to seek help sooner – the average gap between a traumatic event and the Veteran seeking help is 14 years.

Chai Patel made a lead donation of £1million towards this Appeal from the Bright Future Trust, including Gift Aid. This support from the Bright Future Trust has made a significant impact in more than one area:

a) Funding the annual cost of 5 beds in one of the charity’s short stay Treatment Centres. Combat Stress’ Treatment Centre programmes are tailored to the individual needs of Veterans, some of whom may stay at a Centre for a couple of nights and others for up to 6 weeks. With an average length of stay of 2 weeks, this sum would pay for the care of 130 of our most vulnerable Veterans for a year

b) Funding a multi-disciplinary community outreach team for 34 months. These teams support an average of 320 Veterans with psychological injuries and their families.

Appeal Chairman

In addition to financial support, Chai also played an invaluable role as Chair of the ‘Enemy Within’ Appeal by helping to determine its fundraising strategy and the tactics to raise money for the Appeal, including opening his address book of high net worth and influential individuals. In addition, he persuaded the Department of Health to fund the first two years of the Combat Stress Helpline and obtained £1m from the Duke of Westminster to work closely with the Reserve Forces.

Under Chai’s leadership, the ‘Enemy Within’ Appeal raised over £30 million to help our service Veterans with mental health problems.

“Wars leave scars and disabilities which are often plain to see, but equally recognised are the benefits of rapid clinical intervention and care. What remain invisible are psychological scars of war – The Enemy Within. We know that, here too, the best intervention is prompt diagnosis and specialised care.”
Dr Chai Patel CBE FRCP