Duke Of Cambridge To Read Poem Inspired By Veteran's PTSD Experience

The Duke of Cambridge is set to read a poem, written by an A&E nurse who was inspired by the experiences of an Afghanistan veteran suffering from PTSD.

Debbie Lawson was announced as the winner of a national competition called a 'Poem to Remember'.

Ms Lawson earned 49% of the public vote for her verse, called 'One For The Team'.

The Duke of Cambridge praised the "powerful new perspectives" on war and military service, after thousands entered the poetry competition.

Launched in February, the competition marks the creation of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) and 100 years since the end of the First World War.

The state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound facility will provide neurological and complex trauma care, as well as a full suite of rehabilitative facilities which are due to open later this year. 

Prince William, who is a patron of the DNRC, based at Stanford Hall, near Loughborough, is set to read the winning entry at an event on Thursday.

Ms Lawson, who is a volunteer PTSD counsellor as well as an A&E nurse, is "absolutely delighted" to be crowned the winner. 

The 63-year-old said:

"It is based on a true story that I was told by a boy suffering from PTSD."

"He was in Afghanistan in a tank that was blown up and his mates were killed.

"My hope is to explain what people like him are going through.

"If just one person reads my poem and understands from it what these people are going through, then I will be delighted.

"To now have someone like Prince William read my poem and help raise awareness of PTSD is magnificent.

"I feel the fact people cared enough to choose my poem gives value back to those who are suffering in some way. I am so grateful."

In the aftermath of the incident, the soldier, who has not been named, helped carry the bodies of his dead friends to base.

Ms Lawson said the soldier, who has since returned to the UK and left the military, is "very moved" by the poem and hopes it "will help always evoke the memories of his comrades". 

Ms Lawson has family connections to the armed forces - her husband served in the RAF for 42 years, her uncle was killed in the Battle of Britain and her grandfather served in both world wars. 

There were more than 5,000 entries into the poetry competition.

A final five shortlist was picked by a panel of judges, including Stephen Fry and bestselling novelist Andy McNab.

Ms Lawson will receive £2,000, as well as having her poem displayed at the DNRC.