OH! Films collaborates with Iron Maiden star

OH! Films, Cambridge based video company has had the pleasure of working with a rock guitar legend to film and complete the video for a charity Christmas single. Former Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton has teamed up with emergency services mental health group PTSD999 to perform the David Bowie classic ‘Heroes’.

With Dennis leading on vocals and guitar, the anthemic track has been rewritten in parts, with the rest of the band comprising former emergency service personnel.  The video, which features hot rod cars and is heavy on the smoke machines and stadium rock-style lighting, was filmed at Autokare Cambridge in Barnwell Road.

Dennis said: “Our boys and girls from the emergency services are often forgotten with regards to PTSD.  “Every day they deal with some of the most difficult situations.  

“I want them to know that we are 110 per cent behind them if they need support.  Let’s make this Xmas number for our blue light heroes.”

The NHS says post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is estimated to affect about one in every three people who have a traumatic experience.  The condition often leads those affected by traumatic events to relive them through nightmares and flashbacks, which then can led to feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.

According to studies, figures are higher among those who work in the emergency services and military than the general population. Based in Royston, Hertfordshire, PTSD999 is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing free professional diagnosis and treatment for PTSD for all current and former emergency service workers.

It was co-founded by former British Transport Police (BTP) sergeant Gary Hayes who struggled with alcohol abuse following the trauma of witnessing the aftermath of 7/7 London bombings in 2005. Gary, who has spoken out about his battle with PTSD, was assigned to a mortuary where victims’ bodies were brought for identification.

Many of PTSD999’s trustees, doctors and counselling staff have served in the emergency services or military and suffered PTSD, or have close ties with someone who has. Dennis Stratton has been a long-standing patron, alongside others, including The Bill actors Graham Cole OBE and Bruce Byron and London’s Burning actor Glen Murphy.

PTSD999 spokesman Simon Durance said: “We are recording a video for all members [of PTSD999]. We are the only organisation that diagnoses and treats people in the emergency services. It is really cool – Dennis is fronting it up on guitar and vocals and the band is formed of police officers and family.  The track is David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’, with Dennis’s unique touches."

To watch the video, visit OH! Films website.



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