“Following recent high-intensity wars in Iraq and Afghanistan psychological trauma is increasingly underpinning the difficulties that veterans and their families face.” (The Rawthey Project)

We were recently introduced to the work carried out by ‘The Rawthey Project CIC’  through a long-standing client, Brett Parker.

This pioneering charitable organisation provides life-changing support to vulnerable Service Veterans, Emergency Service Teams, and their families, helping them overcome challenges such as homelessness, addiction, and psychological distress. Since 2014, they have positively impacted the lives of over 730 individuals. Rawthey works closely in a strategic partnership with Tom Harrison House, a CQC registered, Addiction Rehabilitation Centre situated in Liverpool, which is the only centre of its kind in the country catering specifically for Forces Veterans, Emergency Service personnel and their families.

In February 2025, Yeoman Warder Scott Kelly (aka #Beefy409), Allan McCracken, and Ally McIlroy, three remarkable beneficiaries of support from The Rawthey Project, are preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This expedition symbolises the overcoming of personal struggle whilst pushing mental and physical limits to help build resilience.

These three courageous veterans are testing their mental and physical stamina to raise funds for the most vulnerable veterans and their families, aiming to raise £60,000, an amount which for instance, would support five veterans through a three-month residential peer-supported Respite and Recovery course with the aim of helping them to transition back to independent living and achieve sustainable employment (or an educational/vocational pathway) by seizing the opportunity to rapidly change their environment and re-evaluate their situation with the support of peers and clinical professionals in a structured and proven effective framework.

Funds raised ensure that fellow veterans struggling to cope with life can have the chance to be extracted from challenging environments such as homelessness, and transitioned into a supported setting, giving them a ‘hand-up’ to a fresh start and a better way of life rather than a ‘hand-out’.

Shoplight recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant, committing to ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, along with their families, are treated with fairness and respect. Shoplight has been touched by the work of The Rawthey Project and the personal stories of Yeoman Warder Scott Kelly, Allan McCracken, and Ally McIlroy.

Donating £2,000 is one small way that we, as a company, can support the positive impact which the commitment of these three individuals will have on other veterans.

Good luck to the team taking on Mount Kilimanjaro. We look forward to following your journey and celebrating your achievements. To donate to Yeoman Warder Scott Kelly, Allan McCracken, and Ally McIlroy please find their JustGiving pages below.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/beefy409mountkilimanjarochallenge2025

https://www.justgiving.com/page/allan-mccracken-1728030804954

https://www.justgiving.com/page/alison-mcilroy-1729444084938