After months of intense training, a Northumberland veteran is all set and ready to embark on a gruelling 500KM solo paddle along the Hess River in the Northern Yukon, Canada.

Veteran Dan Smith, from Belford, will set off on his epic adventure next week with the prospect of navigating through the alpine wilderness across rapids with only remote back up for support.

If he succeeds, he’ll be the first person from the UK to achieve such a challenge but, as he sets off to fly out to Canada on Friday 11 July, he is filled with hope and anticipation.

The Hess is considered to be the most remote and challenging canoe-able whitewater rivers in Yukon and he will be faced with relentless wilderness, armed to fend for himself with only his canoe, bear spray, a shot gun to protect himself from apex predators and enough food and supplies to last him for the two-week trek.

Dan, an ambassador for homeless veterans’ charity Launchpad, is no stranger to setting himself personal challenges. In 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, he kayaked solo the length of Britain. He successfully completed the 998-mile ‘Paddle of Britain’ challenge, setting off from the top of Scotland and paddled via inland waterways to the south coast of England in just 53 days, raising a staggering £27,000.

For this year’s challenge, he is raising awareness and £30,000, which will be split between two charities, Launchpad and Team Forces. Click here to access his page and place a donation.

Commenting on his challenge, Dan said:

“All the hard work is done now. It’s been challenging because I needed to train on rapids that would replicate what I’ll be faced with along the Hess River so most of my training has been up in Scotland, but I’ve managed.

 

“This challenge has always been a dream of mine and I can’t wait to get going. I’m physically and mentally prepared for what lies ahead and I know it’s going to be tough but, I’m ready. As a veteran, I wanted to give back to charities that are close to my heart and support those who are less fortunate and have struggled with the transition from the military to civilian life. When times get tough, which I’m sure they will, I’ll keep reminding myself of my purpose and why I’m actually doing this.”

When Dan arrives in Canada, he’ll be flown into Keele Lake deep in Yukon territory and at that point, he’ll have to fend on his own for two weeks. He’ll be documenting his journey with cameras.

He continued:

“I’ve always wanted to explore as a kid and I want to try and inspire others and the next generation to be outdoors and go on an adventure – it can be life changing. I hope this challenge demonstrates that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“Dan is about to embark on an incredible journey and I wish him a safe and successful trip. I’d like to thank him for raising awareness and funds for Launchpad, which will be reinvested into frontline services to enable us to continue to support our residents.

 

“For most residents who move into one of our houses and have been living on the streets or sofa surfing, they embark on their own individual journey’s and are faced with anticipation but, when they put their minds to it, they can get through it and move on to live independently in their own homes. I’m sure Dan will approach this challenge with a positive mindset and successfully complete what lies ahead.”

Launchpad is a homeless veterans charity providing vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans experiencing homelessness and unemployment.

The charity has three houses in the North of England, in Newcastle, Durham and Liverpool providing accommodation for up to 98 veterans who come from all over the UK.

The Minister for Veterans and People Al Carns DSO OBE MC MP visited homeless veteran’s charity Launchpad in Liverpool to announce £295,324 allocation of government funding to deliver the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme.

Minister Carns received a tour of Speke House and met staff and residents to hear firsthand the impact the programme has had on the veterans living at the scheme, which comprises 50 self-contained, one-bedroom flats.

As part of the overall £2.9 million funding allocated by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs last week, Launchpad will provide sustained support to a further 135 homeless veterans across all three of its houses until March 2026. Support will include combined addiction/mental health psychotherapy, intensive training/employment support, greater access to wellbeing enhancing community activities, and support to transition into and retain independent accommodation.

Launchpad works alongside Op FORTITUDE, a government backed UK wide referral pathway supporting homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness into housing and will accommodate referrals.

The initial two-year £8.5 million programme was launched in 2023 to reduce veterans’ homelessness and Launchpad was selected as one of nine funded organisations to help deliver it by providing vital accommodation and wraparound services.

In the first 17-months of delivery, Launchpad successfully supported 202 homeless veterans with high-complex needs across all three of its houses in Newcastle, Liverpool and Durham. Last year, across all sources, the charity received 361 referrals accommodating 171 homeless veterans during the year – 27% more than two years ago.

In 2023/24, data by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) shows a 7.6% increase of households with a veteran assessed as being homeless, compared to the previous year. There was an 8% increase in all households assessed as being owed a homelessness duty over the same period.

Minister Al Carns, said:

“Every veteran deserves a safe place to call home after serving our country. I’m proud that our Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme will enable Launchpad to support 135 more veterans in need.

 

“Successful organisations like Launchpad show what can be achieved through targeted support. They help to address the complex challenges that some veterans experience, improve their mental health and support them to move forward with their lives.

 

“This Government is committed to ensuring no veteran falls through the cracks. That’s why Op FORTITUDE will plug into our wider VALOUR system, where veterans can use a single service to improve access to bespoke housing, health and employment support. The Government is renewing the contract with those who have served.”

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“We welcome the government’s announcement to extend the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme and to continue to believe in Launchpad as one of their key delivery partners nationally.

 

“We have been overwhelmed with demand since the launch of the programme two years ago and are proud to have supported those homeless veterans’ who have been referred to us. It’s vitally important that specialised support to veterans continues and our outcomes support this.

 

“I’d like to thank Minister Carns for visiting Speke House to meet staff and residents and announce this extended funding. Thanks to ‘Reducing Veteran Homelessness’ funding and the increased support this enabled us to provide, 70% of our veterans successfully moved on to long-term accommodation. Despite their complex challenges, 37% of our veterans secured employment while 88% of our residents said they were able to deal better with their addictions and 89% said their mental health improved.

 

“My experienced team are ready to support those who need our help and assistance.”

In addition to providing vital accommodation across all three houses, the extended funding will:

• Include 40 weekly psychotherapy sessions across the three locations to help newly arrived veterans address their often-entrenched addictions and mental health problems, including PTSD, suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety.
• Delivery of an extensive programme of health-improvement activities to keep the veterans focussed on their recovery and avoid addiction relapse. This includes outdoor sports, peer-support activities, mindfulness and volunteering.
• Support with employment and training to help the veterans build their employment skills, undertake training, work experience and identify and apply for employment opportunities.
• Provide support to the veterans once they move on to live independently. Our dedicated Independent Living Co-ordinators will work alongside them to identify long-term housing opportunities and support them in their new accommodation to ensure they sustain their recovery and avoid a return to homelessness.

Launchpad is one of twelve companies that has secured a share of almost £4.5 million thanks to funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ Major Capital Grants programme.

The charity, which provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have struggled with their transition to civilian life, has been awarded £132,986 to increase the capacity of Hollyacre House in Sacriston, Durham.

The house has 15 self-contained flats and is at full capacity. This funding will create two new self-contained flats in unused attic space, increasing capacity to 17. The veterans can stay at the house for up to two years, with the average stay 12 months. Over a 25-year life-span, the new flats will benefit an additional 50 homeless veterans.

The Major Capital Grants programme is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and supports new build accommodation and significant refurbishment and extension of accommodation. The funding contributes to the Government’s ambition to reduce veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping.

Jill Murray, Chief Executive of Launchpad, said:

“This is wonderful news and I would like to thank the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for awarding us with this grant which will create two additional flats at our house in Durham, thus taking two more homeless veterans off the streets.

 

“We have wanted to create the two new flats since taking ownership of the building in 2022 but have lacked funding. Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad (across all three of our houses) in 2024 alone.

 

“Work is expected to start on site later this year and I’m looking forward to seeing the completion of these much-needed flats for homeless veterans.”

Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Anna Wright, talks about the difference these grants can make:

“The Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund goes beyond providing shelter. These latest awards represent a package of support that begins with a home and ultimately enables veterans to start along a path to the life they want to live.”

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

“We owe a profound duty to veterans who have served our country. The Armed Forces sets most people up for success, but it is only right that where veterans need support, the Government steps up.

 

“Our announcement of nearly £4.5 million in grants through the Veteran Capital Housing Fund, on top of Op FORTITUDE, will help fix the postcode lottery of housing support. The scheme has already helped over 900 veterans into new homes, and we’re determined to build on its success.

 

“This Government is delivering on our Plan for Change by renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve.”

Launchpad manages three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK providing accommodation for 98 homeless veterans.

IT’S BACK and it’s going to be even bigger and better!

We are pleased to announce details of this year’s Launchpad Armed Forces’ dinner.

Come and join us on Thursday 9th October at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel in Newcastle.

This year’s guest speakers are Andy Reid MBE and Dan Smith. Entertainment from Alfie Joey, three-course meal, raffle and auction prizes plus more!

Book your tickets today. £1,000 for a table of 10 or £100 per ticket. To book your place or donate a prize for our auction and raffle, please contact Jill Murray on [email protected].

All funds raised on the evening will be donated to Launchpad to enable us to continue to support homeless veterans.

Thank you to Esh Group who is once again our main event sponsor.

A Leicestershire-based construction company has backed a campaign to support homeless veterans in Durham.

Midland Rock, which service the construction industry, civil engineering industry and the general public with aggregates, waste removal, haulage, earthworks & contracting has pledged its support to sponsor a veterans flat at Launchpad’s Hollyacre House in Sacriston.

The company, which has secured a contract in nearby Durham, has donated £1,000 to the charity which will contribute towards any refurbishment costs and upkeep of one of the 15 self-contained, one-bedroom flats within the house.

Directors of the company visited Hollyacre House last week and enjoyed a tour of the house, met staff and residents and were presented with an engraved plaque to display in their head office, demonstrating their commitment to supporting homeless veterans.

Midland Rock has extended its support to veterans by applying to sign up to the Defence Employee Recognition Scheme, stating their intent to be supportive towards defence personnel and support those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families.

The company has demonstrated its commitment to supporting veterans by providing employment opportunities on existing contracts. With five veterans working on three different sites through the Amey Briggs agreement, the management are keen to extend their support to Launchpad by offering residents living at Hollyacre House, the opportunity to gain training and employment opportunities.

Phil Thompson, Manager of Launchpad’s Hollyacre House, said:

“We are very grateful to Midland Rock for supporting this campaign and sponsoring a room. The average cost to turn around a void flat for a new resident to move in is £2,000 which includes the costs for any removals and disposal of old furniture and fixtures, redecoration and safety checks. This is a cost to the charity so the campaign helps us to alleviate any burden and will enable us to refocus additional funds to other areas of the house.

 

“Working with corporate partners such as Midland Rock enables us to continue to provide the service our residents need, and we are looking forward to exploring other activities and initiatives with them.”

Mark Mortiboy, Operations Director at Midland Rock is an Army veteran of 24 years’ service in the British Army’s Corp of Royal Engineers. He commented:

“I’m really pleased to be in a position to help our fellow Veterans and along with my connections hope to be able to make an impact on getting them into the construction industry, which is in some similar ways just like the Military camaraderie.”

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans who have struggled with their transition to civilian life. The charity manages three houses in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Durham and accepts veterans from all over the UK providing accommodation for 98 homeless veterans.

Demand for specialist veteran’s accommodation and services is increasing, with 361 homeless veterans’ approaching, or being referred to Launchpad (across all three houses) in 2024 alone.