A former gunner from Hartlepool who had a breakdown during his time in the Army says the support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal has saved his life. 

The Royal British Legion, the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, helped Lee Bullivant to turn his life around alongside the love and support of his wife Sam. 

Lee, 40, was left traumatised by his time serving in Northern Ireland - where he lost two of his close friends. 

This comes as the Royal British Legion has launched its 2023 Poppy Appeal across the North East this week. The public is able to get hold of its newly designed plastic-free poppy for the first time.

The Northern Echo: Lee and Sam.

Lee says he “lost the plot” during his time in the Army after a relationship break-up and losing two close friends in Northern Ireland. Three years later, he was diagnosed with severe PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Lee said: “The Poppy Appeal means everything to me, I love the new plastic-free version, but while the poppies have changed, the meaning stays the same. Wearing your poppy shows you care, and that the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community will never be forgotten."

As well as providing carpets and curtains for Lee’s new home, the RBL has also provided a specially adapted £4000 bike to help him escape the pressures of life.

But worse was to come for Lee when he broke his back in a freak accident in 2016 whilst playing with his children on a swing.

The Northern Echo: Lee whilst serving. Lee whilst serving. (Image: PR)

Lee, originally from Bradford, spent three months in hospital in West Yorkshire. His wife, Sam, said: “We didn’t know if he would ever walk again, it was a tough time.”

Whilst he made a partial recovery, his mental health suffered another crisis last year, so Lee was sent to the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall.

Lee said: “Battle Back was life-changing. I was a keen cyclist before I broke my back but was told I could never ride a two-wheeler again. The guys put me on a recumbent bike when I went there, and it’s given me a new lease of life.

“To maintain my recovery, they then agreed to get me a bike of my own, paid for by the RBL and partly by my regiment. They sorted it all out for me, they knew it would help, physically and mentally, and I love the freedom.”

Lee, a former trawler skipper, was forced to give up work due to his injuries but has embarked on a full-time degree course in photography instead.

The Northern Echo: Lee's bike presentation, in Seaham. Lee's bike presentation, in Seaham. (Image: PR)

The father-of-three said: “I’m doing a BA (Hons) in Photography at the Northern School of Art. I never dreamt I could go to university, but I completed my first year and loved every second.

"It’s also helping my recovery, going away to photograph landscapes gets me away from crowds and I like the peace and tranquillity. I want to go on and do my Masters, and then maybe go into teaching.

“Sam has supported me all the way, she is my rock – without her, I don’t think I would be here today.”

Sam said: “Lee has worked since the age of 13, so this has been tough, but his face lights up when he talks about photography and cycling.

"He’s free, he can be himself. We’ll always have to live with the PTSD, it will probably never leave, but at least I can spot when he’s struggling, and he’s now got some coping strategies. I am so proud of him.”

The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal takes place across the region from Thursday 26 October until Remembrance Sunday on 12 November.

The launch of the RBL’s Poppy Appeal marks the start of the national period of Remembrance when the nation wears the poppy to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces.  

All funds raised from the Poppy Appeal are used by the RBL to support veterans and their families, from help with the cost of living, employment and housing, to support with recovery after trauma or illness. 

Lee said: “I would urge everyone to support the Poppy Appeal this year, because all the money goes to support veterans, people like me.

“It was hard to ask for help – in fact, I refused to pick up the phone at first, someone else had to do it for me, but I am so pleased I got the help I needed, it has probably saved my life."

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Louise Price, the RBL’s Northeast Casework Services Manager, said: “Lee deserves immense credit for the way he has pulled himself back from the brink, helped by the love and support of his family.

“As a charity, we have supported him on a practical level as much as possible, and although it is unusual to provide such an expensive piece of kit, we felt that the new bike would really help Lee to maintain his recovery.

"We are all hugely impressed at his turnaround, and the RBL will always be here for him whenever he needs that little bit of support.”