England football legend Terry Butcher is backing a powerful new book that he believes could help save lives like that of his son. You Are Not Alone, written by Rob Parker, raises awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among military veterans and their families.
Terry’s son, Christopher Butcher, died in 2017 aged just 35 from a condition linked to PTSD. Since then, the former Three Lions captain has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and support those affected. Later this month, Terry will join Rob to speak at the official launch of You Are Not Alone and sign copies of the book. Told through the perspectives of veteran Jack, his wife Sarah, and their two children, the short illustrated story captures the hidden struggles faced by families when a loved one returns home from military service.
Terry said: “Nothing like this was available when my son was alive. When I read it, it really hit home. I could relate to it deeply. It resonates across generations, showing how the fallout of trauma affects the entire family. PTSD can feel like a ticking time bomb, with an unpredictable fuse. This book will give hope and support to so many.”
Author Rob Parker, a primary school teacher, added: “You Are Not Alone is a book for everyone. Chris’s story was heartbreakingly real, and I wanted to blend that truth with the fictional world of Jack and his family. The key message is that asking for help is an act of strength, not weakness. The book also highlights where people can find the support they need.”
One of the organisations Terry supports is Combat2Coffee, where he serves as patron and champions their mission to “change lives one sip at a time”.
The idea for You Are Not Alone was sparked by a “chance encounter” between Rob and Combat2Coffee founder and CEO Nigel Seaman. Moved by the stories Nigel shared, Rob wanted to amplify their mission through his writing.
Nigel said: “This book reflects my heart and the journey that led to the creation of Combat2Coffee. The challenges of military and veterans’ mental health cast long shadows – not only over me and those I’ve served alongside, but also across our families. Change is happening. Slowly, steadily, and with purpose. There’s still a long way to go, but thanks to allies like Rob – who believed in our cause and helped bring this book to life – we are firmly on the right path.”
Donations from book profits will be reinvested into Combat2Coffee, while charities Scotty’s Little Soldiers and The Not Forgotten, supporting bereaved children and socially isolated veterans, will also benefit.
At the launch, Nigel will speak alongside Combat2Coffee’s Outreach Support Officer, Mandy, whose husband took his own life, and her son, who will share how Combat2CoffeeMental health charity helped their family. The free event takes place on 20th November at Arlingtons, Ipswich, where Terry and Rob, both from the Suffolk town, will speak and sign copies. An Ipswich Town shirt signed by current players will also be auctioned for charity.
The Mental health charity MIND states PTSD occurs “when something traumatic happens in your life [and] it rocks you to the core.” Veterans are over 10% more likely than civilians to experience mental health issues such as depression or alcohol misuse due to PTSD.
For more information visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/you-are-not-alone-book-launchtickets-1851125890369
| [donate]
| Help keep news FREE for our readersSupporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism,then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. |
