Laura Richards

So where do i start?

I was first introduced to VIA through Skin Scott Carr. I've known Skin since 1985 back in 24 Field Squadron (RE) days, when he told me he was involved with the Charity I asked him why? He said "I want to give something back"? A strange answer or so I thought until I really looked in to what this Charity is all about...

My first encounter was on a windswept rainy day at Twickenham. I was given a bucket a VIA vest and told to go raise some money!

Now contrary to belief I've not got much confidence and was horrified at the thought of shouting with thousands of people coming towards me, as it was I was paired of with Mark Colman, who by the way can shout for England!

Throughout the day we chatted and I got to know how very important VIA is to those who have sought help and really what they are all about.

Skins words '"I want to give something back", became clear and by the end of the day I had found my voice believe me!

In May I was lucky enough to spend a week taking part in the Union Flag Walk from Dover to Cape Wrath  and once again I found my self surrounded by a group of guys that I had never met and my confidence was getting the better of me. 

I listened to the banter and the camaraderie and my nerves and disbelief in myself soon faded away. I can honestly say I had the best week with this great bunch of people..

I listened and was listened too, I talked and was spoken too, the banter and the team work got us through the roughest terrain and weather and all with laughter and a smile.

While out one day one of the guys said to me "Civvies just don't get it", and i said "VIA do", and that's how I feel about it.

VIA get it and through the programmes they run and the way they are run, these guys can and do start to believe in themselves this in turn brings self confidence and once you have that the Sky's the limit!!

After a week I had to go back to work but the following weekend we drove up to Scotland to carry on for a few days and I couldn't wait! That's when the weather closed in and end ex had to be called, and still the laughter, banter and moral was high and with out any explanation you could see what it was doing for the guys.

What has it done for me? ...

Well I know what it means when people say civvies don't get it, I know what its like to have that camaraderie that you just don't get anywhere else and I now fully understand when Skin said I want to put something back because that's what I want to do.

I've met a great bunch of People and I'm proud of them all, I've felt privileged and humbled to be able to listen and to be listened to, I understand what VIA is all about and what good it does now, and I'm so grateful to Skin and Billy for letting me be a part of it.

I'm so looking forward to doing the Communication Course and I've asked to be part of the team on the round the coast Bike ride and the walk across Australia in 2014.

Apparently I'm doing a 300 foot bungee jump as well? Yeah right, and then I think 5 seconds leaping in to the unknown is nothing compared to these guys who wake every day into the unknown.

I don't know if I can give anything outstanding to this fantastic Charity but I do know this, I've always believed you can have and achieve anything you want in life, you just have to believe, now I believe in these guys and I know VIA does as well.

Someone said to me in Edinburgh on a day when my world was falling apart or so it seemed. "You know what lol you brighten up the day with your constant smile no matter what and your belief in us ,so just believe in yourself".

 That's what I've got out of VIA and now as Skin would say I want to put something back.

Laura