Matt (Matty) Hoskings Help For Family

Firstly I would like to introduce myself. I’m Luke a close friend to Matt for many years .

I hadn’t spoken to him for about 6 months!

my texts were not answered and now I know why.

He was diagnosed as Blind/ severely sighted impaired in August 2022.

I found it strange that I hadn’t heard from him but just presumed he was busy.

He called me on a Monday morning and told me the devastating news, I was the first person outside of the close family that he had told, as he didn’t know how to tell anyone.

I was pleased that he mustered up the courage , I was totally overwhelmed and needless to say I was absolutely gutted to say the least.

Anyone that knows matt will know how funny the big man is (big dog)

And what a zest for life he had, From his rugby days and socialising growing up in Cornwall to serving in the Royal Air Force for 12 years.

Anyone who met him would instantly take to him.

He is/was a proud/ outgoing man with an amazing sense of humour like I said,

however through this diagnosis he has gone completely the other way, with major anxiety of leaving the house,

being with other people and generally feeling he has let his family down in not being able to support them the same way anymore.

His mental health is in a shocking state with worry for not only the immediate future but for what his life has to hold

After being able to see all his life now having that removed suddenly, It is still very raw for him and all of this at the age of 44 is hard to take I’m sure.

I know when speaking to him he has never let me know the full extent of his feelings but is trying to be the same old Matt as usual but I know otherwise.

I just wanted to show him he’s not alone and to try and provide some much needed help and support to the family to help them through these difficult times. I know Matt is a proud man and would not have expected me to do this.

I felt so strongly about it with him not working with a very low income and the added pressures of not only a mortgage and rising bills but on Jane the love of his life for his 24 hr care whilst trying to hold down a job and looking/ running after their 9 year old daughter,

I feel as a very close friend that I need to do something to help ease the stress and burden on him and his family.

I initially thought that I would raise some funds to help with bills, adaptations he has to have done to his home which are not funded and unachievable without your help!

This will make it more comfortable for his condition and provide Jane with some piece of mind.

He really is a great friend to many and this would help the family immensely.

I realise it’s hard for everyone at the moment but hopefully we could pull together and help them out.

this man has defended and served this country and never asked for anything in return Any donation would be great fully appreciated in so many ways.

Thanks for your time and understanding.

Luke.