Team - Status Code 14

Challengers involved

The Team

Simon Lemon

Education, sport, adventure, and the protection of others have been the driving forces throughout Simon’s life. Whether it was summiting big peaks in the Alps and Rockies or competing in the 09 – 10 Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, it was in these challenging environments that he felt the most fulfilled. These driving forces and his love of extreme challenges became the nucleus for his concept for Team Status Code 14.

Like most of those serving in the Emergency Services, Simon has been exposed to multiple traumatic incidents during his career as a Police Officer, sustaining both mental and physical trauma, including being stabbed on duty.

Although seemingly unaffected by this, he has seen first-hand the profound effect these incidents have had on his friends and colleagues. On a number of occasions, he has been on the end of the telephone feeling utterly helpless with friends literally on the precipice of despair suffering from PTSD.

That same feeling of helplessness, however, also caused him to seek medical advice after he noticed a lump on one of his testicles, whilst showering after a training session. Like most men, he ‘buried his head in the sand,’ ignored it, and did nothing about it. This built into fear and anxiety. Prompted by his wife, he eventually visited his GP and it was quickly established that there was no need for concern. But why leave it to luck why take a chance, why feel helpless?

Through Statuscode14, Simon wants to raise awareness of PTSD within the ‘Bluelight’ Emergency Services, raise awareness of treatable Men’s Cancers and most importantly raise money for the 2 charities working to treat PTSD (Rock2Recovery) and Men’s Cancers (The Chestnut Appeal).

Steve Dredge

Adventure, believing anything is possible and a love of the outdoors has been the catalyst for some of the great moments in Steve’s life and the mantra that kept him going through his toughest of times.

Steve was diagnosed with PTSD in 2017, the result of several traumatic incidents accrued during his 30 year military and Police career.

Steve was lucky, he asked for help and received support, counselling and mentorship from mental health professionals, family and friends.

After using running and adventure sports as a way of helping him manage his PTSD and an off the wall suggestion from co founder Simon, that they both row across the Atlantic Ocean! Statuscode14 was born.

Steve’s goal now is that Statuscode14 raises as much money as possible for the charities and to develop it into a platform for those with PTSD or Cancer to plan, take part in and complete their own challenges.

AMBASSADORS

Squash Falconer

“The first time I heard about the Statuscode14 team I understood they would be attempting to climb and paraglide from the summit of Mt Blanc, Europe’s Highest mountain. No small feat and a very impressive challenge. Soon after, I learned this was just one of their four ambitious projects; they also plan to swim the channel, race across the Namibian dessert and row across the Atlantic in the World’s Toughest Ocean Rowing race – The Talisker Whisky Challenge. Having got to know more about the individuals in the team I quickly realised that they were serious, capable and this was going to be a journey I wanted to support, follow and be a part of (in spirit!). Having done endurance expeditions myself I know that physical strength alone is not enough.

These types of challenge require physical, mental and emotional strength but also a deep understanding of your ‘why’. Each member of Statuscode14 has all of these qualities. The two charities they are supporting; The Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health and Rock2Recovery are close to home for each of them and will be a driving force inside when the going will inevitably get tough. From the concept of Statuscode14 it’s clear that meticulous planning and preparation have been executed. This is going to be a wonderful adventure!“

Squash Falconer is a record-breaking adventurer, speaker and presenter. Combining her love of different sports Squash was the first British woman to climb and paraglide from the summit of Mont Blanc having ridden there from the UK on her motorbike – and that’s just one of her many incredible achievements. Passionate about sharing her adventures, Squash has a unique and quirky outlook on life and firmly believes that with the right attitude every one of us can achieve our goals and dreams.

Find out more at the Squash Falconer website

Dan Massey

My name is Dan, im a 53 year old Father, Proud Grandfather and Son.

Im currently a serving Detective Inspector in Devon and Cornwall Police.

I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in Jan 2017, after finally listening to my wife and going to my GP, as I would get up for a couple of wees in the night, but with no other symptoms.

A PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test indicated a very high reading, and I was then referred to a Urologist in Bristol, where I was told that without treatment I would die within 2 years, as it had spread to my bladder, bowl and urethra.

I then embarked on treatment that included 2 years of hormone manipulation, a radical prostatectomy and 7 weeks of radiotherapy, being brilliantly supported by my local NHS Cancer Team.

From here I was then asked to attend a local support group, and this evolved into mentoring and support for other men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

From my own perspective, the hardest part of all of this has been watching the effect this has had on my wife and family, although I have had days where I have felt sorry for myself and/or worried, however being able to talk about my feelings has helped massively.

Sarah Herbert

My name is Sarah, I am 42 years old and live in Devon with my husband and 2 children.

I have been employed with Devon and Cornwall Police as a member of Police Staff for 20 years.

Having recently been prompted to Radio Supervisor in the Plymouth Communications Control Room. In addition to this role, I am an Enhanced Crisis Communicator trained to assist others in crisis, a Peer Supporter and a TRIM team leader.

I have previously spent 19 years as a Special Constable both with Devon and Cornwall Police and West Mercia Police.

During my service I have dealt with many incidents both in the Control Room as a Radio Supervisor, a previous Radio Deployment Officer and also on the ground as a Special Constable.

I was diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) back in 2013. This was due to an accumulation of trauma’s in my life. As a child I was badly bullied, then subjected to domestic violence where I was threatened with a Shotgun. It all came to a head when in the control room, I dealt with the hanging of a 14-year-old schoolgirl who was being trolled online.

I have been to the scene of many hangings before but I found it hard to understand why this one incident affected me. I was protected in the Control Room behind a computer screen with a headset on. Although I heard as clear as anything that change in the Officers voice as he arrived on scene and the screams from the mother of the child.

I had gone from being that “bubbly girl” growing up to being very withdrawn. I have been medicated, received CBT therapy and had Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.

What I know now is that, If I had talked about the incident after to others then I would not have absorbed so much traumatic stress.

I have used the negative aspects of my life and turned them into positives, becoming a Mental Health Champion and gaining qualifications in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. My life experiences have enabled me to help others.

I am open about my PTSD because I want to help others who are concerned about the stigma that surrounds Mental Health.