Former soldier to stage sleep-out at Seaham's Tommy sculpture to highlight 'hidden homelessness' plight of veterans

An army veteran is highlighting the plight of homeless former comrades with a sleep-out at a famous landmark.

David McKenna, a former colour sergeant with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is sleeping out at the Tommy sculpture in Seaham to raise awareness about homelessness within the veteran community.

His 'Staying with Tommy' fundraiser will shine a spotlight on the often-hidden problem of sofa surfing, a form of homelessness that is prevalent within the veterans’ community.

From Friday, September 1, to Monday, September 4, David will take up residence in Terrace Green beneath a gazebo transformed into a makeshift living room.

While the Government recently launched Operation Fortitude, a referral service guiding veterans toward housing providers, charities, and local authorities, these services primarily address street homelessness and have yet to adequately assist those experiencing hidden homelessness.

David is urging Ministers to extend support for frontline services, including small charities such as East Durham Veterans Trust, which have encountered challenges when accessing schemes such as Operation Fortitude.

David, who is a trustee of East Durham Veterans Trust and also serves as a Seaham councillor, said: "Veterans can find themselves homeless for various reasons, from the challenges of transitioning to civilian life and grappling with PTSD to family breakdowns, financial hardships, and addiction.

"Sofa surfing, or hidden homelessness, is a pervasive issue within the veterans' community, with many of us having stories of friends crashing on our couches while they try to get back on their feet.It is an honour to serve your country, but life in the Armed Forces can create a disconnect from civilian life.

"After service, it can be difficult to adjust, manage daily routines, or know where to turn before a problem spirals into a crisis.

David said veterans have valuable assets, skills, and training which can transform them into 'outstanding civilians who contribute to society'.

"All we ask is for those in authority to acknowledge these challenges and establish early intervention systems to provide veterans with the essentials for a successful post-service life: secure accommodation, mental health support, and meaningful employment," he said.

"These essentials can mean the difference between life and death. As veterans, we are acutely aware of the high rate of suicides within our community.

"I've witnessed first-hand the remarkable work of East Durham Veterans Trust in building support networks, offering guidance, and providing counselling to veterans in our region. It's both humbling and heart-wrenching to hear service users express that, without the support from the staff and volunteers, they felt that taking their own lives was their only option."

David is inviting other veterans and the wider community to join him on the sofa for a conversation, whether about homelessness, veterans' issues, or just for a chat.

To support East Durham Veterans Trust, donations can be made at the 'Staying with Tommy' collection bucket during the event or through the dedicated GoFundMe page.https://www.gofundme.com/f/staying-with-tommy-homeless-veterans-campaign