Our team has been hand selected from a number of seasoned veterans, family, friends, volunteers and skilled professions, all of which are committed to helping our veterans and their families who are dealing with PTSD. It is because of our team and network of trusted companies and service providers that we are able to offer a wide range of services to our beneficiaries. It takes time to build a good team, we are so proud of all our team members, each of them bringing their own skills and life experiences which has enhanced the way that we deliver our support services.
THE TEAM
Gary Stockton
FOUNDER & CEO
Gary's career profile stems from a Military logistics background having served 22 years in the British Army, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), reaching the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1, operating worldwide.
Gary has 32 years Project Logistics experience operating globally, one of his previous appointments was the Logistics Lead for Agility DGS where he was responsible for coordinating all logistics activity for the final drawdown of the UK Armed Forces leaving Afghanistan, the largest scale Military drawdown since WWII. During this project Gary was approached to build a refugee camp named SAWRA (Hope) Village in Kurdistan on behalf of two Christian charities, this project received global recognition.
Gary has had a great military career but knows full well how hard it is to make the transition when leaving the forces. Leaving the forces at the end of your career is exciting and also quite daunting, leaving with additional pressures of an injury makes it even more difficult to make the transition.
As the founder and CEO of Phoenix Heroes he will make a difference and he is truly committed to helping our veterans and their families.
Susan Stockton
COO
Susan has spent 30 years within the military environment so she fully understands the lifestyle and commitments of the Armed Forces.
Susan has been married to a serving soldier for the past 32years and spent 22 years travelling the globe, experiencing both the good times and the hard times. It is not easy being the spouse or a family member of someone that has served their country, we owe so much to our Armed Forces families.
Susan brings so much to our organisation, with a wealth of understanding, a compassionate and sensible approach to identifying the priority needs of our veterans and families makes her a valued member of our team.
Having spent over 20 years working within the care industry, Susan has experienced more than many. Susan has four children, nine grandchildren and many adopted veterans, she is a natural and we are so lucky to have her on board as our Chief Operating Officer..
Debbie Thomas
SECRETARY DIRECTOR
Debbie has worked in various roles over a period of 25 years, covering accounting for family and local businesses through to logistics roles including working as community Landlady within an armed forces environment.
For the past twelve years she has worked in the care industry for the social services.
As a close family friend and a focused community person she is dedicated to helping others. Debbie has a passion for working with horses, this stems from her childhood days where she owned her own horse and took part in regular horse-riding activity days. Debbie now joins us as our secretary and Director, we are all very fortunate to have her on our team at this early stage of our journey.
Charlie Wise
DIRECTOR
Charlie served in the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment (the vikings). During his service he spent half his time in a Rifle Company and the other half in HQ Coy, he is now a civilian working as a spray foam operator.
Charlie is a family friend, we watched him grow up, Joined the Army and now we are very pleased that he has offered his support to Phoenix Heroes. It is great to have a younger veteran on the team, swing the light and exchange now and then stories like us old veterans tend to do. The team dynamics is buzzing!
Tracy Morris
PATRON
Tracy has helped us straight from the beginning, he is a successful businessman and adds that professional approach to our organisation. More importantly he has become a very good friend, nothing is too much trouble for Tracy, he adds value to everything that we are trying to achieve.
We are very proud to have Tracy as our Patron, one of the most loyal, genuine and trustworthy individuals that we have met. His support to us throughout our early stages has been nothing but remarkable.
At Tower Hill, London we are helping a veteran and his dog, Bob & Harry. Tracy has supported them on a personal basis for the last 12 months and he is now known in that area as Mr. Phoenix!
Billy Billingham MBE
AMBASSADOR
Billy joined the Parachute Regiment in 1983 and served until 1991 holding an array of positions including: Patrol Commander for operational tours in many worldwide locations and also served as a training instructor for the Regiments as a military specialist.
Billy joined the SAS in 1991 as a Mountain Troop specialist and has been responsible for planning and executing strategic operations and training at the highest level in numerous locations (Iraq, Afghanistan, South America and Africa) and has lead countless hostage rescues.
Billy is a certified SF and Counter Terrorist Sniper Instructor, Advanced Evasive Driving Instructor, Tracking/Jungle Warfare/Navigation Instructor, Demolition/Sabotage Instructor, Ski Mountaineering/Rock Climbing/Abseiling/Ice climbing Instructor, Combat Survival/RTI Instructor, Counter Terrorist Instructor (all options) and has worked as a Patrol Medic/Trauma Life Support agent for 5 hospital attachments.
After his military career, Billy became a bodyguard and looked after people such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sir Michael Caine, Jude Law, Hulk Hogan, Kate Moss, Russell Crowe and Tom Cruise.
Billy is currently working on his UK speaking tour amongst other ventures, we are all very proud and delighted that Billy is our Ambassador, he is a great man and a true veteran!
Daz Greenfield
AMBASSADOR
Darren is a keen sportsmen that's seen him representing Great Britain in the Paralympic Games from 2008 to 2016, then switching his hands to disabled strongman in 2017 winning the British title 3 times coupled with a World title in 2019 and a Guinness World Record in 2023.
Darren has been a keen carp angler for over 35 years, catching carp to 55lb from France, 38lb in the UK and over 100lb in Thailand.
Darren is known for his charity work, helping to raise money for children suffering with cancer, completing the c2c on a hand bike, 165 miles bike ride.
Most recently Darren took part in our Phoenix Heroes 3 Peaks where he completed Ben Nevis in 17hr 40mins, you need to watch the videos to truly understand how hard this challenge was for him. He has been with Phoenix Heroes for five years now and we are extremely proud to have Darren come and join us as an Ambassador alongside Billy Billingham and Rob Hughes.
Rob Hughes
AMBASSADOR
Rob Hughes is a three time World Carp Angling Champion, Manager of the England National team, and the angling presenter for BT Sports. He has travelled across the world for both competition and angling expeditions and has received more carp fishing caps for his country than anyone else.
Although not a veteran himself, he has very strong long-term links to the military and has been a supporter and fundraiser for various military causes over a number of years. Patron of the fundraising group Carp After Combat, he recognises the importance and good work that Phoenix Heroes carries out and understands how angling can play a big part in both recovery and rehabilitation.
"I’m genuinely honoured to have been asked to help out with Phoenix Heroes. Fishing is a proven way to “un-wind” and it helps a lot of people with their lives and day to day struggles. I’ve got a lot of friends, both old and new, that both serve and have served. Fishing is a release for many of us, our special place. To be able to combine a love of angling and the outdoors whilst helping people that have “done their shift” is rewarding and I look forward to supporting Phoenix Heroes bring a few smiles and some welcome relief to as many people as we can.
We are privileged and honoured to have "Hughesy" come and join us on what is set to be a remarkable journey!
Chelsea
PROJECT MANAGER
Chelsea has grown up within the military community and fully understands the life of being the child of a serving member.
She is the daughter of Gary & Sue Stockton and it is because of Chelsea that we first became involved in supporting the homeless people of ESSEX. Three years previous she got the family involved in collecting warm clothing to distribute to the homeless people of Colchester.
The response that we had in the first year was amazing however during the second year we received clothing contributions from UK businesses, family and friends which took the level of support to a different scale.
It was during those years that we got to meet and know many of the homeless by first name terms and it was clear that there was a number of veterans that had fallen on hard times. From this experience coupled with a few ideas and meeting other like minded people Phoenix Heroes was formed. Chelsea is a mother of two and has worked in retail for the past six years. She has a passion for helping others that are less fortunate and we are so proud to have her with us on this journey.
Tia & Niamh
PROJECT VOLUNTEER
Tia & Niamh are Mother and Daughter, Niamh is our youngest supporter and she is a fantastic young lady.
One of the remarkable achievements made during 2019 was the Mount Snowdon climb where their family raised funds for Phoenix Heroes.
For the past two years Niamh has given up her sweats and chocolate and with the money saved she has bought items of warm clothing and food and given them to the homeless people of Colchester.
We are extremely proud to welcome them both to our team and we look forward to working alongside them throughout the year.
Brenda
FALCONRY
Through a love of owls since childhood and a passion for therapy and care.
In my adult life I decided undertake a falconry management course and create "Twilight Encounters". Our main aim is to create and give people of all ages a unique experience whilst making them smile.
Our core business is to provide animal therapy to residents within the care community however we are very excited to join the Phoenix Heroes team and very much look forward to the new journey ahead together. Our feathered friends are proving very popular amongst the veteran community.
CARP FISHING
TEAM CAPTAINS
Terry Mac
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Joshua Forcer
CAPTAIN
My passion for fishing was ignited by my father Alan James Forcer. Dad had very bad PTSD as he was a war veteran, Dad sadly lost his battle with PTSD this year and took his own life, which has been a devastating blow as you can imagine.
We shared many happy memories on the bank, memories that I will treasure forever, including the the time I hooked him up through the finger as a child !!! He wasn't best pleased with me I can tell you that.
In the years to follow at just 14 I was selected to participate in the Junior World Carp Classics in the Czech Republic. Representing England alongside Frank Warwick and Jakub Vagner. I was placed 9th in the world championship league at lake Katlov, an incredible experience at such a young age, an achievement that my dad was incredibly proud of.
I went on to study fish husbandry disease, lake management and control gaining at distinction level.
In 2017 I worked for My local Parish Council, As an Assistant Youth coach.
alongside the rural Police affairs / youth officers team in conjunction with CO/OP Coaching disadvantaged children.
Out Fishing was the one place Dad truly found peace, a place where all you’re worries dissipate. It has also helped me immensely over the years whilst trying to process what’s been going on with Dad and my concern for him. If I can do something positive even if it is for just one more veteran by introducing them to this tranquil place of calm and turn a negative into a positive then that would be a job well done xx I am very much looking forwards to being part of Phoenix Heroes and meeting some incredible people, what better way for me to channel my grief than to give something back to the veteran community !!!!
We welcome Josh to Phoenix Heroes with open arms, he is going to help many veterans improve and embrace the sport.
Chas McNeil
CAPTAIN
Chas has currently served 20 years in the British Army, Royal Logistic Corps (RLC). His career to date has seen him in numerous roles. Having seen service around the world he is a very competent team leader / instructor.
He spent some time as part of the RLC parachute display team The Silver Stars where he was an instructor and display jumper. This saw him undertake many charity events including jumping into "Ride to the Wall”.
From there he was posted to the Army Training Group (ATG) where he severed at both parachute wings Cyprus and Netheravon delivering Adventurous Training “skydiving".
With over 11 years as a Accelerated Freefall & Tandem Parachute instructor with over 5500 jumps to his name. He has helped countless people raise thousands of pounds for their chosen charities.
Chas has been a keen course angler from an early age, He then moved over to Carp fishing about 5 years ago, he is an active member of the RLC fishing team and has a wealth of knowledge to share.
He will over the year be joining us on our fishing days and is looking forward to helping us build the Phoenix Heroes veterans fishing teams.
It’s felt he will be a valuable addition to the team and I’m sure you will all benefit from his knowledge, skill and sense of humour.
Daren Milsom
CAPTAIN
We have known Daren for 25 years and met in 1997 whilst serving together in the Army. Darren has been Carp Angling for 25 years. He will be joining us on our fishing days and help us grow the Phoenix Heroes Veterans Angling Community.
In 2000, Darren and Gary fished together in an Army competition in France and won almost every trophy on show. He is an exceptional Carp Angler and a good friend. We are very pleased that he has offered his skills, time and expertise to help during any planned fishing trips.
Daniel Hoole CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Nathan W
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Stuart Argue
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Gareth Stevens
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Robbie Hancocks
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Steve Siddall
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Ray O`Connor
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Jason Hayton
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Craig Turner
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Sam Poxon
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
Mike Wimbush
CAPTAIN
Bio coming soon...
REGIONAL ANGLING COORDINATORS
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Regional Network
United Kingdom
We are growing our network across the UK and throughout 2024 we aim to have all regions and counties supported by a member of the Phoenix Heroes team
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