Case Study

Gdsm Dougie Adams

From Battlefield to Art Studio

Dougie served as a platoon medic, completing three tours of Afghanistan between 2007 and 2012. The challenging experiences he faced during these deployments had a significant impact on his mental health. Upon returning and beginning treatment, Dougie found solace in art, which became a vital tool in managing his PTSD. Through grants provided to support his attendance at various courses, Dougie has developed into an accomplished artist. In 2018, he exhibited his work in Pall Mall in collaboration with the charity Style for Soldiers and Art in the Aftermath, and the following year showcased his pieces in Gloucester with the same organisations. Dougie’s talent was further recognised when he became a finalist in Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, and his artwork has also been featured by The Royal British Legion on commemorative coins.

Art as a Pathway to Recovery

The opportunities afforded by these art courses have provided Dougie with a sense of “normality” amidst what can often be a chaotic life due to PTSD. The confidence gained from pursuing his artistic interests led to Dougie’s nomination for the Yukon Challenge, where, alongside fellow Grenadiers, he completed a demanding 700-kilometre paddle through wild and isolated terrain — an achievement he would not have imagined possible a few years earlier.

“Whilst on active duty in Afghanistan in 2012, I was repatriated to the UK suffering from complex mental trauma, later diagnosed as a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, I am unable to gain employment at any time in the future. Now I seek pleasure from the simple things in life, and my art helps me to focus.

In addition to the trauma that is felt viscerally, the battle for adequate care could have left me with no plan or provision for the future. The Colonel’s Fund was there to support me with the specialist care and the long-term support needed for myself and my family.

I am part of the Grenadier family and continue to push myself out of my comfort zone and now I have a purpose to carry on.”

— Gdsm Dougie Adams

Case Study

Gdsm Scott Blaney

Triumph Over Adversity

Dad of three Scott Blaney joined the Grenadier Guards in 2004. Three years later, he was deployed to Afghanistan. It was there, while on foot patrol in Helmand Province, that his platoon was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which injured five soldiers including Scott and killed his best friend. The Drill Sergeant put Blaney over his shoulder and ran for a mile and a half to the helicopter landing site, from where he was taken to Camp Bastion where he underwent emergency surgery to remove his right leg. He also suffered shrapnel injuries to his arm and eye. He was flown to Birmingham to begin his painstaking recovery. Scott was in hospital for eight weeks, and up and walking on a special brace in half that time.

Since then, he has achieved all manner of incredible sporting feats. In 2009, he completed the London Marathon, swam the English Channel and rowed across the Atlantic in 48 days. Scott was also part of Team GB’s Para Jiu Jitsu Championship Team, competing in the World Championships in Abu Dhabi in 2023, where he earned a silver medal. Additionally, he discovered a natural aptitude for golf.

Academic and Sporting Achievement

In recent years, support has been provided to Scott throughout his university studies, culminating in his qualification as a professional golfer. He now works as a full-time instructor at the Belfry Golf Club, and the Colonel’s Fund has played a crucial role in supporting his ongoing recovery.

“I am grateful to the Colonel’s Fund for making my PGA degree possible. Their support helped me become the first military veteran with a disability to complete this degree.

As a veteran, I know I could not have achieved this without their belief in me. This accomplishment is a tribute to every mentor, donor, and the program that lifted me along the way.”

— Gdsm Scott Blaney

Case Study

Gdsm John Dawson

Overcoming Injury through Challenge

John Dawson sustained life-altering injuries in Afghanistan in 2012 at the age of 24, losing sight in his right eye, suffering a brain injury and paralysis down his left side. These injuries also affected the right side of his head, which needed to be rebuilt, requiring John to relearn basic skills, including walking. To help him adjust, a series of challenges were organised, beginning with ascents of Snowdon, followed by Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike. Each year, John and other wounded Grenadier veterans participate in a mountain challenge, which not only fosters camaraderie but also supports their mental wellbeing. The Regimental Casualty Officer has provided substantial support to John, enabling him to make significant progress in his recovery.

“The Colonel’s Fund has helped me so much since my injury in 2012, I can’t thank them enough for helping me get to where I am today, and I know they are always there for me if and when needed. They are truly a lifesaver.”

— Gdsm John Dawson

Expedition

Kilimanjaro Expedition

Daddy & Daughter Edition

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Gather a small team, climb Kilimanjaro, and raise money for the Colonel’s Fund — a simple enough plan, right? Well, it turns out that a mountain, much like military life, has a way of humbling you when you least expect it.

Our four-person team set off on Valentine’s Day for the Rongai Route — an eight-day trek tackling everything from humid rainforest to alpine desert slopes. The team consisted of myself, Carl Shadrake, a wounded veteran who survived two IED blasts in Afghanistan (2007 and 2012); fellow wounded veteran Jason Gould, a double leg amputee; my fearless ten-year-old daughter, Penelope; and Jason’s equally brave fifteen-year-old daughter, Avery. Between us, we had a good mix of military grit, youthful energy, and a fair amount of blind optimism.

A Plan Comes Together… Almost

Our aim was to raise £15,000 for the Colonel’s Fund, a charity that has greatly supported Jason and I in our recovery, as well as countless other Grenadier Guardsmen and their families. Thanks to the generosity of nearly 200 supporters, and a little boost from Gift Aid, we smashed that target! Though, in hindsight, I’d have preferred an easier way to fundraise, such as a bake sale or a raffle with our local association branch.

Adding to the sense of occasion, we received a letter from Queen Camilla herself, wishing us luck on our journey and asking to be kept updated on our progress. No pressure, then! Knowing that Her Majesty had taken the time to send her support only added to our determination to make it to the top.

We had all trained hard, but altitude is the great equaliser. The headaches came thick and fast, and while we tried to soldier on, Jason had a particularly tough time with friction from his prosthetics, which meant he had to make the heartbreaking decision not to summit. Still, his presence and sheer determination throughout the climb set the tone for the rest of us — no moaning, just cracking on.

Mountains, Mishaps, and Moral Victories

The mountain had a few surprises in store. On Day Three, a storm rolled in and flooded most of our tents. While we grumbled through soggy kit and damp socks, a German couple in our campsite had it worse. Their entire tent was drowned, forcing them to abandon ship and sleep in a nearby cave. Every great expedition needs a bit of drama, and Kilimanjaro delivered.

Then there was the food. The team of porters, absolute legends, kept us well-fed, though some of the local dishes had us questioning whether we were gaining calories or losing faith in our taste buds. Still, morale remained high, especially thanks to the many climbers who couldn’t quite believe that Penelope and Avery were actually making the ascent. Their resilience put many a seasoned trekker to shame.

Summit Day: A 3 AM Start and a Cup of Tea at the Top

Summit day began in classic military fashion — an absurdly early alarm at 0300 and a 0400 step-off into the darkness, guided only by our head torches and misplaced enthusiasm. For Avery, who had never even been camping before this trip, it was the ultimate trial by fire (or ice, as it happened — temperatures plummeted to −10°C).

Despite the exhaustion and thin air, we pressed on. And then, finally, after what felt like quite the slog, we reached the peak. There, at a greater altitude than Everest base camp, a flurry of hugs, a few tears, and a well-earned cup of tea marked our victory. The moment was made even sweeter knowing the incredible support we had received for the Colonel’s Fund.

Lessons from the Mountain

Climbing Kilimanjaro reinforced a few key things. First, altitude spares no one — not even stubborn ex-Guardsmen. Second, Penelope and Avery are absolute powerhouses, and I am fully expecting them to remind Jason and I of this trip every time they want to get out of unpopular tasks. Third, the porters make you feel like an Officer, in that they do all the work while you stumble along pretending you know what you’re doing.

Ultimately, this climb was about more than just the summit. It was about resilience, camaraderie, and proving that, with the right team, you can take on any challenge — even if it involves flooded tents, dubious dinners, and a frequent early wake-up call.

Next time, though, I might just opt for that bake sale.

Upcoming Expedition — 2026

Yukon 700 — 2026

Yukon 700 2026 is an epic and ambitious adventure expedition, testing both physical and mental endurance. It will showcase the courage and fortitude of a team of 10 Grenadier Guardsmen — some of whom were injured, both physically and mentally, whilst serving their country.

These wounded veterans served in numerous conflicts around the world, from Northern Ireland to Bosnia to Iraq and Afghanistan. All, and many others, will continue to require support on their recovery journey throughout their lives. The injured members of the group have suffered a variety of wounds, physical and mental, ranging from amputations to severe sight impairment and PTSD. They share in common not just the bonds of comradeship but a determination not to be defined by their injury or disability — and that, if well supported and motivated by all of us in the greater community, they can achieve great things.

The Expedition

Three successful expeditions took place in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The 2026 expedition will see the team take to open canoes and paddle unsupported for 750km in 7 days, navigating their way for approximately 16 hours per day, camping overnight on islands. The final route is yet to be determined but it will either start on the Yukon River across Lake Laberge and onto Dawson City, or start on the Teslin River, then join the Yukon and onto Dawson City. Both routes will venture through the wilderness of Northwest Canada, inside the Arctic Circle, over 24 hours from any support. Using open canoes much like the first pioneers — although made of Kevlar not wood — the team is completely self-sufficient throughout, carrying everything its members need to survive.

Why It Matters

It is well documented that such expeditions, by providing both an intense physical and mental team challenge, help the long-term recovery process of wounded soldiers taking part. The individuals involved feel part of a team again — often something missing after they have been discharged from the Army. Above all, the expedition gives them a sense of real achievement that serves to reinforce their self-confidence and sense of worth.

Support the Expedition

Mounting these expeditions comes at a cost and we are always very grateful to our sponsors and supporters. A single seat in a canoe for one of our veterans costs £3,000, with a total expedition cost of approximately £30,000. All funds raised will support the expedition and the Colonel’s Fund in its continued support of our Grenadier wounded, their families, and the families of those killed in action.