Tam joined the British Military aged just 15 and at age 17 became a regular soldier with the Royal Engineers and completed tours in both Bosnia and Iraq. He then completed 21 further tours in Iraq for the US Department of Defence.
Tam was the first man ever to survive an EFP blast (a tank buster made in Iran) albeit badly injuring him and leaving him with shrapnel in his legs, back & head. After surgery and 3 weeks rest, he was back at work, only to be blown up again 3 more times during his remaining tours.
Tam’s body could only take so much punishment and he was eventually medically discharged.
Back in Britain Tam was diagnosed with PTSD, hearing loss and nerve damage. Standard therapy did not help Tam’s condition which unfortunately led to a chaotic life involving alcohol & drugs and a living nightmare for his partner Hazel.
Like so many of our ex-forces veterans Tam reached rock bottom and decided that ending his life was his only remaining option. However, whilst stood on the edge of a cliff about to jump and with a suicide note close by, Tam’s life was saved. He doesn’t know how or why, but a voice inside his head told him to buy a horse?
Tam had never before owned or had any involvement with horses however, in spite of his loved ones and close friends thinking that he had gone mad, Tam purchased ‘Ollie’ a 17hh Clydesdale orphan (as in photo above) and that was when his journey began and that is how he discovered the healing powers of working with horses.
If horses could have such a profound impact on Tam's recovery, then others would benefit too so, after a few years of studies and continuous research Tam purchased a small abandoned farm set in the peaceful countryside and founded Warrior Ranch, an Equine Assisted Human Development & Traumatology Centre where he now helps other ex-forces veterans who also suffer with PTSD.
Tam has renovated and adapted the farm to meet its new needs. He has registered Warrior Ranch as a charity and continues to study for a master’s degree to be as knowledgeable as possible in his chosen subject.
All this investment in the ranch, charity status and studies comes at a huge personal cost which is why we have decided to help Tam to raise the additional funds, to construct a suitable Pen Enclosure, by requesting that you either send your donation directly to Warrior Ranch, send it via us (100% will be BACS transferred to the charity) or via the JustGiving page that has been created.
The Pen will be the beating heart of the ranch and enable the charity to facilitate 3-day courses throughout the whole year. Tam is doing all he can to raise the £30,000 required however let's see what we can do collectively to help accumulate the necessary funds quicker, so that more veterans can be accommodated at Warrior Ranch each year.
You can donate directly to Warrior Ranch or for just £10 pcm you can support them via VETERANS RAFFLE