Jame's story

Through the Lightning Reach portal Darren received support from:

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Through the Lightning Reach portal James received support from:

James

Stanley, England

“Knowing there’s support out there for people like me means the world. I don’t like asking for help, but this came at the right time and made a real difference.”

Financial challenges and health struggles

James is a 55-year-old Royal Air Force veteran, who has a history of supporting others, from looking after his parents to now being cared for by his wife. With the rising cost of living, James found it increasingly difficult to manage daily expenses, particularly as his diabetes required him to have a specialised, fresh food diet that became harder to afford. Alongside utility bills going up and his home needing improvements to keep warm, James felt the pressure mounting. Being a former serviceman, he was used to self-sufficiency and deeply reluctant to ask for help.

“Being in the forces taught me to be self-reliant. It’s hard to admit that you need help, but with the cost of everything going up, there was no other way.”

Discovering the Lightning Reach portal

While navigating the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund’s website to find potential support, James was directed to the Lightning Reach portal, where he learned he could discover and apply for support. At first, he was hesitant about using online forms, having previously struggled with the complexity of other applications. But he quickly noticed how different this experience was.

“Everything was straightforward. The questions were simple, relevant, and to the point. I’ve used online forms before that felt like jumping through hoops, but this one was clear and efficient. It didn’t feel like paperwork at all.”

With the portal, James was able to complete two applications: one for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund for a £500 well-being break to meet his wife’s sister, and another with the Royal British Legion for £200 in food vouchers. He was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to upload his documents and how quickly he received a response.

“It took no more than 20 minutes to fill out both applications. It's a lot quicker and easier than the previous applications. It normally took 3-4 weeks to get a decision but doing it this way I got an answer from both organisations within a few days.”

Timely support bringing relief

With the £200 food support from the Royal British Legion, James could stock up on fresh groceries that matched his dietary needs, helping ease the stress of balancing bills with essential food costs. The wellbeing grant from the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund meant he could finally make plans to visit his wife’s sister, whom he had never met in person. For James and his wife, it was an opportunity to create meaningful memories amid challenging times.

“It’s hard to describe how much that £200 meant. Knowing we could stock the freezer, that we didn’t have to count every penny just to keep food on the table—it’s a weight off my shoulders. And being able to plan this trip to meet my wife’s sister who has cancer… it’s priceless for both of us.”

Beyond the immediate financial relief, James felt a renewed sense of security and peace knowing that there was support tailored to his needs. The experience gave him the confidence to refer fellow veterans to the platform, encouraging them to seek help when they need it.

“I know a lot of servicemen are too proud to ask for help. But with [the Lightning Reach portal], it can be done anonymously and there is no stress with filling out forms. I’m grateful this kind of support exists, and I know others like me can benefit too.”

James’s story shows the positive impact that accessible, streamlined support can bring to individuals facing difficult times. Thanks to the Lightning Reach portal, he has a brighter outlook and renewed hope for the future.

“It was no problem at all, even if they require more information I’m always happy to provide more. Most of the time I do applications on my phone, which can be frustrating at times, but this didn't take long at all to complete.”

If you or someone you know is looking for support, you can get started on Lightning Reach at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal