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Ged Mason OBE, Morson Group CEO, has become a patron of the Standing Tall Foundation, the charitable organisation set up by Morson ambassador and ex-forces veteran Andy Reid MBE to support vulnerable young people and veterans in local communities.

Andy established the Standing Tall Foundation based on his own ‘lived experience’. While proud to have served in the armed forces in the 1st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, he also believes that the societal factors and personal reasons that lead young people to join the armed forces are not always healthy ones.

There are potentially damaging consequences of carrying personal issues into service only to have them compounded by traumatic events experienced whilst on active duty. Consequently, Andy has spent the last several years working to offer mental health support and veterans support.

The inspiration for the Foundation came through helping Alex Kemp, another solider from Andy’s battalion. Alex was first on the scene when Andy stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) in Afghanistan. Providing care for him in the crucial first minutes after the explosion, Alex helped save Andy’s life.

Several years ago, Alex found himself suffering from PTSD and homeless. With the assistance of Morson Group and Step Forward Homes, Andy helped provide support, work and accommodation for Alex, turning his life around.

This intervention was a contributory factor which led to the eventual formation of the Standing Tall Foundation, as Andy saw at close quarters the level of need and the inability of traditional larger charitable institutions to respond.

Set up to consolidate his charitable activities, the Standing Tall Foundation’s overarching aim is to support vulnerable young people and veterans in local communities. It works to achieve this objective by delivering funded programmes, designed to improve, enhance and help individuals across a broad spectrum of needs. In order to future proof the charity, Andy has looked to enlist patrons to help with key financial support as the charity grows in scope and reach.

Andy Reid MBE said:

“There has never been a greater need in modern times for support organisations, particularly due to the effects of the pandemic. Ged has become a very good friend and role model to me since I commenced working for Morson Group as a brand ambassador. It was therefore an easy choice when I started to consider who might be a potential patron for my foundation. In effect the decision made itself. I believe Ged’s involvement can only push the Foundation on to greater things, opening contacts and opportunities which might otherwise be unobtainable. This will enable us to help more people and work with greater reach. The Standing Tall Foundation board and I are delighted to have Ged on board as a patron.”

Ged Mason OBE said:

“When I first met Andy several years ago, I saw a man who embodied bravery, courage, respect, integrity and selfless commitment to helping others. I could think of nobody more suited to the role of ambassador to the Morson Group and Andy has been active in not only helping our teams recruit ex-forces veterans into civilian careers but has also taken part in our charity activity. I’m incredibly proud to be supporting the Standing Tall Foundation and I look forward to seeing Andy make it expand so he can do what he does so well – helping vulnerable people.”

Written by James Kenealey

Andy Reid is a determined character.

His resolute recovery from the devastating wounds he got when he stood on an improvised explosive device has, I’m sure, reinforced that trait.

Talking with him about his story though, it is clear that he has always had a tenacious attitude to whatever life throws at him.

The first real test of his mettle presented itself when he was very young.

“I’ve always dealt with adversity all my life,” he told me. “As a five year old, I was in a car accident. I broke my leg in three places. I struggled through school myself. Then I had the challenge of being turned away from the army because of my weight and having to work hard to achieve that goal of getting in the army. The injury was just another challenge: What now in the life of Andy Reid? I think I’ve always had that mindset of working hard to get where I want to be.”

He didn’t know it, but Andy’s early life would serve as good training for dealing with the aftermath of what happened in Afghanistan.

His mother lost her leg in that car crash during his childhood.

“I had a big insight into what it’s like to be an amputee. My mum just brought me and my three sisters up. We lived in a three-storey Victorian house with no stair-lift or wet room or nothing. I thought I’m supposed to be a big tough soldier and my mum brought us up, so I had better just get on with it.”

So Andy did exactly that.

After just two weeks in a British hospital, he made his first trip home to St Helens.

Within a month of the explosion, the corporal was able to meet up with members of his patrol again.

Since then, the triple amputee has set about thanking the charities that helped him through a variety of fundraising adventures.

Whether it’s a 400-mile bike ride, skydiving from a plane or kayaking to London, Andy doesn’t let up.

He’s been so prolific, most members of the Granada Reports team have met him at least once.

I first spoke to him in August 2010 as he was about to set off on a 600-mile trike ride.

“It’s mainly just to show the general public that if you have been injured you can carry on,” he told me at the time.

He had only just learned how to walk using his prosthetic legs.

Yet something told me there would be no stopping him.

Three years later, when we next met, he was abseiling 200ft down The Big One in Blackpool using just one arm.

It total, he’s raised at least £200,000 for armed forces charities and helped countless people to think positively by sharing his story about overcoming adversity.

His voluntary work earned Andy a trip to Buckingham Palace which prompted the father-of-two to ponder how he could make even more of a difference.

“Being from a town from St Helens with the highest suicide rate for men in the country, a lot of deprived areas, I thought I’ve got this voice now. Being awarded the MBE last year gives me a bit of status people listen to what I’ve got to say. I thought its about time I did something for my own town, my own community and the north west in general.”

So Andy has set up the Standing Tall Foundation, a community interest company, to further his charitable aims.

He originally planned to launch the organisation in September with the support of local businesses but the coronavirus pandemic made the need more urgent.

Leon House, a private mental health clinic he helped open in Manchester last year, suggested providing free mental health treatment for NHS and care workers on the front line.

So Andy launched the foundation early to take advantage of the offer, understanding the psychological pressures all too well.

Like many, he admits this year has taken its toll.

Covid restrictions emptied his diary of public speaking dates – events he considers therapeutic.

“Talking about the journey I’ve been on, having lost friends and been injured myself, helps me download it out of my mind and helps me deal with it. So in this current situation I’ve struggled myself. I’ve spoken to a therapist myself because I’ve not been able to tell my story. So I’d really encourage anybody who’s struggling with their mental health to just speak to somebody about it.”

Andy plans big things for 2021.

His foundation will continue its work giving laptops to the increasing number of pupils who need technology to learn away from school.

Its Wellbeing In The Woods programme will lead youngsters, vulnerable people, care leavers and veterans into a natural environment.

They will learn skills like shelter building and no doubt a well-stoked campfire will give them a forum to talk.

He will be aiming to reach new heights too – but I am sworn to secrecy about that for now.

If, as is likely, you want to consign 2020 to the bottom drawer of history, Andy’s stories, plans and sheer optimism provide hope.

There is a way to overcome the most difficult of challenges.

Take it from someone who knows.

“Everyone has gone through this pandemic together. Everyone’s feeling anxiety, depressed, a bit down about it. We’re all in the same situation so we can all speak to each other about it. That’s the most important thing to do.”

Originally published on the ITV.com website
Credit: ITV Granada/Andy Bonner

Adult Education training provider Innovative Alliance have become one of two beneficiaries to receive laptops from The Andy Reid Standing Tall Foundation,  helping to close the #DigitalDivide and provide vital resources to people looking to undertake training to better their chances of finding employment.

The Andy Reid Standing Tall Foundation aims to help tackle social issues such as homelessness, debt management, relationships and mental health. Through his associations Andy realised there are many different deserving organisations that are in need of direct and practical support, so he made the decision to use the foundation to support organisations, such as training providers and recruitment companies, to help those faced with disadvantages.

Out of the desire to help people the partnership between the Foundation and Innovative Alliance was created. The two organisations are now working together to provide resources, knowledge, and tools to support better life chances.

The Foundation recently received several laptops from Cash Converters UK and were inspired to donate these to Innovative Alliance who are supporting an increasing number of learners studying online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Standing Tall Foundation CEO, John Tabern said;

“By providing learners with digital resources, Innovative Alliance are helping tackle the digital divide across Liverpool City Region and the wider North West. Currently 82% of all job openings online require at least basic digital skills. This skills shortage limits the opportunities for those people seeking employment. Providing learners with this equipment will be a real advantage to improving their job opportunities”.

Innovative Alliance CEO, Ian Green said;

“We are extremely pleased to be working with The Andy Reid Standing Tall Foundation. The equipment will support our learners to access our online learning and to develop their digital confidence and skills. The Foundation has a genuine ambition and mission to provide support and help to those who need it most”.

In March 2020 Innovative Alliance joined several businesses and organisations in signing the Armed Forces Covenant. This demonstrates their commitment to supporting those who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. The Covenant is a true sign of support to veterans and their families that they will be treated with respect and support within their communities.

Whether having been made redundant recently or having been looking for work for some time, Innovative Alliance offer funded short courses for individuals, to help improve their employment chances. The adult education provider gives learners the knowledge and tools to progress into employment, with many courses being attached to immediate job opportunities. Their advisors work with learners to establish clear pathways for their development and offer support and advice throughout the entire process.

Originally posted on the Innovative Alliance website