A project to help soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will benefit from the skills of a local filmmaker. Alexander McGill, based in Drybrook, who has a growing reputation for producing educational and informative films for good causes.

He has worked with Michelle Arbon, who has been mentored by a BAFTA winner, to bring a hard hitting commercial to cinemas throughout the country.

Their collaboration is a huge coup for locally based charity Talking2Minds, as it steps up its campaign to highlight the plight of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Founded by SAS veteran Bob Paxman ,Talking2Minds offers a unique, swift and effective treatment to those suffering from PTSD. And he brings to his charity the same iron will and determination to succeed which led to his selection to serve in the elite SAS.

Bob said: "Our unique programme benefits not only the sufferer but those who live with or around them and have to endure the terrible fall-out from PTSD.

"We specialise in helping complex cases and long term sufferers for whom other approaches have not worked.

"Many people are unaware of the true impact of severe stress related conditions until they become part of their lives."

Mr McGill explained:?"There needs to be more awareness of the time it can take for PTSD to develop. It is often years later that people will come forward for help. It can affect people without being recognised and they deal with it by getting drunk, taking drugs and fighting.

"There is an increasing number of prisoners with a military background and this is something we are very concerned about."

Another person working to help make the film a success is Bruce Martin. He went to the charity as an observer but was so affected by what he saw he decided to join the project and, after training, he became a practioner. He is now a trustee of the charity.

He said that Talking2Minds helps soldiers from recent conflicts as well as those from the Second World War. He said that sometimes it takes just a sound or a smell and people can be taken back 60 years to a traumatic incident. The charity also helps those working for any of the blue light services.

After hitting the big screen, the team hopes to bring their production to television to show more people how PTSD affects not only the sufferer, but also the people around them, such as friends, family, employers and the general public.

Tom Ebdon is also a great supporter of the charity. He is the fundraising co-ordinator and has raised thousands of pounds for charities over the years through karaoke competitions, talent shows, dinner entertainment and discos. He would love to hear from anyone in Ross with a suitable venue where he could organise a talent competition to raise funds for Talk2minds.