John Boe, Royal Air Force Police, Tactical Provost Wing attended the 2015 Supporting Wounded Veterans Skiing with Heroes (SWV) week.

After several operational tours of both Iraq and Afghanistan John started to suffer from serve post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was medically discharged from the forces. He suffers from flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, lack of confidence, depression and all manner of problems associated with PTSD.

John learned to ski during the 2015 SWV ski week with other PTSD sufferers and has gone from strength to strength. Since that first week, John has been able to manage his PTSD more effectively and has gone on to start his own company www.wildwaybushcraft.co.uk.

He now teaches Bushcraft, Survival and Wilderness living skills based in Dorset and Hampshire. He is also a partner in www.bearblades.co.uk, Bushcraft and Survival knife manufacture, and is a published author of the book Bushcraft - A Family Guide.

John has chosen to work for himself so he can better manage his symptoms, which unfortunately are classed as permanent, working with SWV, who could assist him with securing the use of woodland near his home for his business. Luckily for SWV John is one of our Ambassadors and captain of the Veterans Team for our annual Wounded Veterans v The Rest of the Wold Cricket Match held in the summer at Swinbrook.

John took part in the 2nd and 3rd SWV Business Challenge in Klosters and is looking forward to next year’s challenge already!

When asked his thoughts on SWV he said: “I am completely blown away by the support and help I have received. there are lots of charities claiming to help but these guys really go the extra mile. Nothing has been too much trouble for them and I feel like they are now friends as well as a charity. Without these awesome people I dread to think where I would be. They have helped on a practical level an emotional level and they really do care, it’s extremely humbling. I can’t thank them enough.”