My name is Katriona Du Preez, most people know me as Kat. I am a mummy to an amazingly resilient little boy and also work full time as a Resourcing Partner at the Department for Transport.
So why am I here? My husband George was a Commonwealth soldier in 3 Para who battled with complex PTSD following his return from a tour in Afghanistan in 2011. George’s PTSD was so severe he was medically discharged with it in 2014. We fought on a daily basis for seven years to get the right treatment for his complex condition to no avail. Unfortunately George lost his battle in November 2019, the trauma he carried was just too much. I joined For the Fallen after Jo Jukes reached out to me and have found the support and comfort in this new ‘safe place’ reassuring, knowing that we are on this journey together gives me hope.
Being asked to be Company Secretary has been such an honour. Whilst we can’t undo the tragedies that we have experienced, our aim is to use those experiences to help people learn and to ultimately reduce military related suicide.
We do this in honour of those we have lost – our voices united will be heard.