WELCOME TO THE GULF FAMILIES SUPPORT NETWORK

Hello and welcome to the Gulf Families Support Network.

This site is for families and friends of servicemen and women who are serving in the Gulf. It was originally meant to be a local support group for families in the Cumbria and North Lancashire area but I am delighted to say that it has gone nationwide and we have had contacts from families from the North of Scotland down to Devon.

My eldest son Matthew is serving with the RAF in the Gulf and the reason I set up this site is because my 16 year old daughter was having problems at school with people making stupid comments and had no one to confide in that understood what it was like to have a brother serving in the Gulf. I contacted BBC Radio Cumbria and asked if there were any other familes in the area who had children who had brothers or sisters serving in the Gulf and found it difficult to talk to their friends. Within 20 minutes the phone calls started and haven't stopped since! We quickly realised that it is not only brothers and sisters that needed to talk but mums, dads, grandparents, girlfriends and boyfriends.

The aim is to put families in touch with each other in their local area. That way they can meet up if they wish and it also cuts down on the cost of phone calls if you have local contacts. As you will see from the Message Board, the site has been a blessing to families who not only feel isolated but also feel that they are going mad at times. If you would like to become part of this Network you can contact me by email at pamflitcroft@hotmail.com or phone me on 01539 723027. Please do not use the email link on the left of the site as it doesn't seem to be working. I haven't received any emails via this link so tried it myself at the weekend with no joy. Apologies if you have used this link. Please contact me again via the hotmail address.

If you have a loved one in the Gulf don't sit there worrying on your own. Get in touch as there are some inspirational families on this site who are going through just what you are.
Not everyone has internet access so if you know someone who has a loved one in the Gulf but doesn't have internet access give them my number and we will give them the phone numbers of other families in their area.
Thank you to the Westmorland Gazette who very kindly gave us this website.
Pam Flitcroft