Marianna (55) served 15 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps, including deployment during the Gulf War as a combat medic. For the past nine years, after facing PTSD and having suicidal thoughts, she’s been supported by Blackpool’s Trust through veteran coffee mornings, gardening clubs, outings, and peer support.

Starting as a participant, Marianna is now a dedicated volunteer, helping other veterans feel connected and supported - rebuilding the sense of family she missed after leaving the military. She has cared for the Fylde Memorial Arboretum for the past ten years and was recently honoured at Buckingham Palace for her dedication.

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