A Royal Air Force Officer is helping veterans and vulnerable people in his hometown of Torbay, Devon.
Flying Officer Jack Outterside, 25, is part of a small team comprised of current serving RAF, Reservist, Ex-Army, Ex-Marines and younger Veterans who have teamed up with Torbay Development Community Trust and ‘Eat that Frog’, two non-profit charitable organisations that help the homeless, vulnerable and at-risk individuals.
“My aim, with my initiative, is to help those in Torbay who do not have a voice” said Jack. “I know that there are lots of struggling people around and helping people is part of the reason I joined the RAF.”
Together they prepare, pack and deliver food to between 50 and 70 veterans and vulnerable individuals at a time. Eat that Frog have kindly let them use their work space to cook batches of hot meals out of foods that have been donated by Morrisons and other local food markets.
So far they have prepped and packed donated Easter eggs, homemade cakes, donated fruit and hot meals cooked fresh in the kitchen on the day of delivery. The team also assist with picking up prescriptions, shopping and walking dogs.
Recently Commissioned but delayed in training due to an injury, Jack has a history of helping others. Whilst in Rehab during Phase 1 training, he organised the decoration of the Frailty Assessment Unit at Lincoln County Hospital. He also raised £450 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Jack says he joined the RAF ‘for Queen and Country.’ He wanted to discover his physical and mental limits and believes that being in the RAF is a great platform to help others.