Aavs

AAVS provides respite, treatment, training, welfare assistance and more to those who serve or have served and their families throughout Northern Ireland.

Ranger Andy Allen was hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in 2008 whilst on tour in Afghanistan. The force of the horrific blast lifted him off the ground and tore off his right leg it also burnt his corneas, leaving Andy blind. By complete chance, one of Andy's comrades had been wearing a camera that was attached to his body armour and the events of that day were caught on film. The incredible footage was used by the BBC for the Bafta winning documentary Wounded. For seven weeks Andy was kept sedated while surgeons worked to remove the dirt from his wounds and fought to keep them infection free. Ten days after he was brought in they were forced to amputate his other leg. Not only has Andy had to learn to walk again, he also had to adjust to losing his sight. Although an operation has restored some vision, his world remains blurred and distorted; he says this has been his biggest challenge. Three years on Andy has identified a number of issues where support for veterans living in Northern Ireland does not meet their needs. With the help of a number of ex-servicemen and women, Andy has created his own Veterans charity, responding to the needs of Veterans and their families living in Northern Ireland. With the help and support of the general public from Northern Ireland we aim to provide a number of support services for ex-service personnel and their families such as Counselling, Retraining, Benefit and Housing advice, Jobs and Career advice, Help with CV’s and with a more long term aim of establishing a Respite /training centre within five years.