Help Us Create a Woodland Sanctuary For Mental Health

I experienced a vicious, unprovoked attack almost 13 years ago, which left me in a dark place mentally and physically. I had to undergo a six-hour operation to rebuild my smashed cheek bones and then reattach my lower jaw to my skull, with metal plates and screws holding my face together. This procedure left me with no feeling in the lower part of my face due to irreversible nerve damage.

At the time, I jointly ran a bespoke furniture and joinery company, so I had a huge commitment and responsibility to carry on with client contracts and our employees. I had no time to heal mentally or physically, but instead, I tried to put on a brave face and move on.

Nature became my solace as part of my healing process, with the help and support of my dear friends, especially my closest friend Paul Watts. Bushcraft, wild camping, and shared stories around a campfire provided a sanctuary where I could rebuild.

Because these places of sanctuary are becoming harder and harder to find, I want to create our own woodland so others can have their own special healing place. Here, I will pass on my passion for working with wood and my skills in bushcraft and woodland management. Equally, I want to provide solace around the campfire, exchanging life stories and making new positive chapters in our book of life. I envisage a woodland refuge where others can find healing and hope.

I am looking to raise £49,000 to purchase a woodland in my home county of Cornwall to create this sanctuary, where we can offer groups wild camping, bushcraft skills, cooking over an open fire, and enjoying nature from dusk till dawn. As a family, we will be putting our life savings towards this project as we are committed to providing a space to share with everyone. Your support and donations will be instrumental in helping us achieve this.

Please join us in creating a place where hope takes root and flourishes.

A negative action can lead to a positive reaction

Paul Rutter - After his vicious, unprovoked attack.