Ipswich Town legend Terry Butcher says the response to his deeply personal documentary has been “incredible”, with viewers sharing their own experiences of grief, trauma and mental health struggles after watching the film.
Butcher: Invisible Wounds, which tells the story of the former England captain’s life and the loss of his son Chris, who died in 2017 following a battle with PTSD linked to his military service, was broadcast on ITV earlier this month.
The documentary also highlights the work of Ipswich-based veterans’ charity Combat2Coffee, founded by former soldier Nigel Seaman.
Speaking about the reaction to the programme, Butcher said many people had contacted him with their own stories.
“Oh, it's been incredible,” he said. “Some of the stories I've heard from people, because I've told my story and other people want to tell me their story.
“I can only read a few at a time, because it's just heartbreaking. It really is. But a lot of these people have come through, but they needed help in the first place, and that was the message that we hope that everybody picked up from the documentary.”
The former Town skipper said he hopes the film will continue to reach families and veterans who may be struggling.
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He said: “We want to make sure that we can get to as many families and veterans who need that help as well.
“It's not just about Suffolk, it's about North Essex and Norfolk as well.”
Combat2Coffee founder Mr Seaman said the documentary had generated an outpouring of support from people across the country.
He said: “We've had letters from people external.
“One lady who wasn't into football came across the documentary by chance. She watched it and sent us a donation. It wasn't a huge cheque, but the letter that came with it was worth a million pounds.”
Mr Seaman believes the film is only the beginning.
“I think it's just the start of what we really can do,” he said.
“Who's to say we're not going to become a national project helping people all over the country?
“With the momentum we're getting, I feel very privileged to be an Ipswich lad in this position. I really, really do.”
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