Former paratrooper commander opens centre dedicated to Afghanistan hero Mark Wright

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 10:19

FORMER paratrooper commander Colonel Stuart Tootal was today set to open a day centre for military veterans in memory of Corporal Mark Wright, who died in Afghanistan.

The Mark Wright Project Centre in Dalkeith has been set up by the parents of Cpl Wright, who died in 2006 after entering a minefield in Helmand province to help an injured comrade. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross.

Since his death, parents Bob and Jem Wright have raised 40,000 to open the drop-in centre, which they hope will improve the lives of those who need support on returning from war.

The centre is already providing counselling for several veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and will today be officially opened by Col Tootal, who was Cpl Wright's commander with 3 Para in Afghanistan.

Col Tootal said: "Mark Wright was a remarkably brave man. His courageous parents, Bob and Jem, have been kind enough to involve me to some extent in the project and to invite me to the opening. I'm really proud to be involved in it for both the sake of Bob and Jem, and, of course, Mark."

Col Tootal resigned from the army in 2007 with a high profile letter criticising a lack of equipment, poor treatment of wounded soldiers in NHS hospitals, and inadequate pay and conditions.

He said the centre would help to bridge a gap that still existed in services for veterans: "It's great that the Mark Wright Project Centre will make a significant contribution to looking after soldiers, and it's a sad reflection that there's a vacuum in state support in looking after our soldiers. But it's fantastic to know that great people like Bob and Jem are stepping into the breach.

"It's a really, really worthy cause and I commend everyone to support it. I think things have improved since I resigned, but they haven't gone all the way."

The centre, in Hardengreen Business Park, is open every day for ex-servicemen and women to visit on a drop-in basis. Services range from a cup of tea and a chat to one-to-one confidential counselling. There are also social facilities such as a lounge with TV and computer, a gym, and a library.

Bob Wright said: "We were over the moon when Stuart Tootal agreed to come and open the centre. It's the light at the end of the tunnel, and I think Mark would have been happy with what we're doing. We've been inundated with volunteers from all walks of life, which has been fantastic."

It is only the beginning of the fundraising effort for the Wrights, however – they now need to find 60,000 a year to keep the centre open.

&#149 www.themarkwright project.org.uk