Tommy's charity comes to aid of crisis-hit forces veteran

A CHARITY founded by a Butterknowle veteran tapped into more than 60,000 people to come to the rescue of a critically ill former soldier who was facing a bleak Christmas.
Omar Barrow, from Gambia, and his family found themselves in a very tight situation after he was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness this year.
The veteran of Afghanistan was discharged from the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in July. His plight was discovered by Sporting Force charity founder Tommy Lowther, who helps veterans find employment through sports clubs.
Mr Lowther became aware of the situation facing Mr Barrow, his wife Serreh and four-year-old son Tijan when he helped arrange an interview for a BBC Look North programme about how difficult it is for Commonwealth veterans to find work.
He said: “On the way down we were talking and it became apparent he is very ill and struggling. His worldly possession were his family, a tattered-threadbare couch and a bed. I work with hundreds of veterans and every case I take on personally. Having known Omar I wanted to help him out, so I put an appeal out on Facebook and we were inundated with responses.”
On top of that Leeds United, which is involved with Sporting Force as part of its National Citizen’s Service, put out a tweet which had more than 60,000 responses.
Mr Barrow was to be part of the Leeds United programme and act as a mentor to kids. He was also to undergo an employability course at the club. Mr Lowther added: “He is very much a humanitarian. He always puts other people’s feelings before his own. He wants to inspire and to help others wherever he can.”
In a role reversal, hundreds of people responded to the veteran’s plight and dug deep into their pockets to help.
Among the people who responded to the social media plea was a member of Staindrop Scouts who gave a cheque for £150. Mr Lowther’s nine-year-old nephew, Cameron, gave a huge portion of his toys after finding out that Mr Barrow’s son Tijan had none and their was no hope that he would have presents this Christmas.
The Barrow family now has enough furniture to kit out their home in Wakefield after moving from Catterick Garrison. Mr Lowther said: “Christmas is around the corner and it is a tough economic climate. It shows what people think of veterans and they want to help out. I find it incredible.”
Anyone interested in donating to the charity can contact Mr Lowther on 07739 763079 or email tommy.lowther@sportingforce.org.
Donations can also be made on the website sportingforce.org.