Former Royal Marine, then RAF Search & Rescue Paramedic, Chris Bradshaw QGM, tells us what its like to be in the MERT (Medical Emergency Rescue Team) on Chinooks in Afghanistan and his life now at the end of the wire. As part of the medical team onboard a Chinook sent in to pick up the wounded, be they Military, Afghans and occasionally the enemy, Chris talks us through what happens when the wounded make it to the tailgate. But, as he says.." The real life saving stuff happens with the person next to you on the ground when the injury occurs, they are the real heroes." An extraordinary journey, and the life on the wire continues. If you want to meet him - just fall off a mountain in the Lake District and he will probably be the the guy flown in to save you.

His chosen charity is "Turn to Starboard" www.turntostarboard.co.uk

A charity that helps serving and retired Armed Forces personnel, and their families, re-adjust after operational tours through the power of sailing.

Paul Minter, formerly of the Blues and Royals, was one of the first soldiers into Helmand, and many years later one of the last to leave. With the words of an MP briefing him before his first tour - "Don't worry, not a round will be fired" ringing in his ears; 4 tours of Afghanistan, 1 in Iraq, a Mention in Dispatches, blown up twice by IED's, and countless contacts began to leave their mark. Next thing you know you are arrested in London by the Bomb Disposal squad...

In search of a solution to his problems Paul sought out help and then like all good recon soldiers, gathered as much intelligence as he could and dragged himself back from the abyss. Realising there was a gap in the treatment for PTSD within the serving military community, as well as veterans, he set a world record raising funds and with former colleagues established a charity to help current and former members of the Armed Forces recover their mental health and lead happier lives. Its called the "Head Up" charity. Mental Health Awareness For UK Armed Forces | Head Up (head-up.org.uk)

One of life's truly remarkable men, whose service to others comes with nothing more than the desire to help others like him avoid an all too familiar journey within the military community. Support his charity..and get in touch if you have a spare 4 acres!

the searchchicken@gmail.com

"Licking the Toad", someone did, and the rest is history. How some psychedelic drugs were discovered is a story in itself; but in this shorter episode we break from the norm, my guest isn't wounded - but is pioneering their treatment.

Dr Iain Jordan is leading the psychedelic drug clinical trials for treating PTSD. Hear how taking the usually illegal drugs of a euphoria inducing nature react with our brains and why when taken before therapy sessions the results are a game changer for PTSD sufferers. As soldiers we are taught to fight as hard as possible - but with PTSD the harder you fight it the stronger it gets..learning to embrace it is difficult because of the way our brains deal with traumatic situations. Dropping a few tablets with your therapist present is one way to overcome this in safety. We even manage to laugh which isn't easy when discussing mental illness...and I didn't even get to sample anything beforehand!

It all happens at Clerkenwell Health Clerkenwell Health | Psychedelic Clinical Trials Specialist

And if you would like to be part of the PTSD or Depression trials head to their website Clerkenwellhealth.com and join a trial - link here: Join a trial (typeform.com)