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Sometimes the most powerful reminders appear when you least expect them.
During a recent visit to Seaham seafront, one of our volunteers stumbled across Tommy – one of the North East’s most recognisable and much-loved sculptures. Standing proudly against the coastline, it’s an artwork that immediately captures your attention, but it’s the story behind it that truly stays with you.
Created by acclaimed County Durham artist Ray Lonsdale, Tommy stands an impressive 9ft 5ins tall and weighs 1.2 tonnes. While many admire the sculpture for its striking appearance, it was also created to represent something far deeper: the unseen burden of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experienced by many military veterans.
Seeing Tommy in person prompted us to reflect on an issue that remains incredibly important to the veteran community and one that sits close to the hearts of everyone involved with Veterans Raffle and the grassroots charities we proudly support.
The Hidden Battle
For many people leaving the Armed Forces, the transition to civilian life can bring unexpected challenges. While physical injuries are often visible, psychological wounds are not.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. Symptoms can include anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance and feelings of isolation. Every veteran’s experience is different, and while not everyone who serves will develop PTSD, many continue to face its effects long after their service has ended.
Perhaps the hardest part is that these struggles are often invisible.
Why It Matters to Veterans Raffle
At Veterans Raffle, we are passionate about supporting the incredible grassroots charities that work tirelessly with veterans every single day.
Many of these organisations provide a lifeline through peer support, counselling, wellbeing programmes, community activities and practical assistance. They understand that recovery isn’t always about a single intervention—it’s about ongoing support, connection and knowing that no one has to face life’s challenges alone.
Our monthly raffle helps raise vital funds for charities delivering exactly this kind of support across the veteran community.
More Than Just A Sculpture
Tommy has become one of the UK’s most admired pieces of public art, and it’s easy to understand why. Its quiet, reflective stance says so much without saying a word.
For us, stumbling across Tommy wasn’t just an opportunity to admire an incredible sculpture—it was a reminder of the resilience of those who have served, the challenges many continue to face, and the importance of ensuring support is always available when it’s needed.
Art has a remarkable way of starting conversations that might otherwise never happen. Tommy does exactly that.
Standing Together
As we continue our mission to support grassroots veteran charities across the UK, Tommy serves as a poignant reminder that behind every veteran is a unique story.
Some stories are visible. Others remain unseen.
Together, through awareness, community support and fundraising, we can help ensure that those who have given so much for others receive the support they deserve.
If you’d like to help us continue supporting grassroots veteran charities, every Veterans Raffle entry helps make a difference—because no veteran should ever have to face their battles alone.