‘Combat Stress’ Fundraiser
2174. Sip Powers
Sip Powers, from Preston, is a veteran who has not let his debilitating health conditions - such as Type One diabetes, a stoma and autoimmune syndrome - stop him from embarking on endurance challenges to fundraise for veterans’ mental health charity, ‘Combat Stress’.
Sip was a member of the military, when he was diagnosed with Type One diabetes, aged 24. Not wanting the condition to impact his career, Sip completed numerous physically and mentally demanding courses and expeditions to prove his physical fitness, and went on to serve multiple tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. Sip credits ‘Combat Stress’ for supporting him, a charity that provides clinical treatment and support for veterans from the British Armed Forces, with a focus on those with complex mental health issues. Having been helped by the charity, Sip wanted to help others through fundraising for them.
Sip has since completed a number of fundraising challenges, including recently scaling all 214 Wainwright mountains in the Lake District. Completing the expedition took one month and covered a total distance of 710km and height of 43528m. Sip carried the full expedition kit weighing over 20kgs, while completing the challenge and became the first person with serious health issues to attempt this expedition. He was also joined at various points by veterans and wounded soldiers, to challenge themselves in the outdoors, while assisting with their personal health and wellbeing.
Sip received his award from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs at a Parliamentary Veterans’ Reception.
(Above – Sip is pictured with the Veterans Minister, Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP. Picture by Office for Veterans Affairs; Below – Sip is pictured with Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council, Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP)
Congratulating Sip on his award, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, said:
“Simon is an outstanding example of the determination of our veteran community, and he has accomplished an extraordinary feat in aid of raising money for a mental health charity for veterans.
“The work of our third sector partners is invaluable, and it is people like Simon who ensure their work can continue, so I am pleased his contributions have been recognised with this Point of Light Award.”
Sip said:
“I am deeply humbled to receive this award. The work we do at ‘Combat Stress’ is to support all our veterans who are struggling with their mental health. When I completed both the Enduro7 and Enduro214 we hoped it would inspire and help others, we had no idea it would be recognised in such an amazing way by the Prime Minister.”
Find out more about ‘Combat Stress’ and Sip’s challenges.
