Army veteran embarks on journey with pet sheep to raise money for ex-military

Jai Gibson, who served in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, wants to raise awareness of homeless veterans while travelling with pet sheep NJ.

Army veteran embarks on journey with pet sheep to raise money for ex-militarySTV News

An army veteran who went viral for taking his pet sheep on trains has embarked on a journey across Scotland.

Jai Gibson has set off with his sheep, NJ, in a bid to raise awareness of homeless veterans and raise cash for Social Bite.

The 61-year-old served in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan over the last three decades and lives with PTSD.

For the past decade, Jai has been homeless, living in a field in Ayrshire, where he adopted a lamb named NJ after its mother died at birth.

“I go to war with myself, but at least I have people around me who help,” he told STV News.

Veteran Jai GibsonSTV News
Veteran Jai Gibson

“I have NJ, and we have attention, that’s why I want to use Social Bite to raise awareness, not just for veterans, but for homeless people. All we need is a hot meal.”

What began as an act of care quickly became something much deeper – five-month-old NJ has become a source of comfort and therapy for Jai’s PTSD.

He explained: “It’s being able to care for something, that’s my vehicle, I hang on to that and will hang on to it as long as I can.

Jai and NJ are travelling across the countrySTV News
Jai and NJ are travelling across the country

Now, Jai is setting out on a journey across the country with his beloved sheep to raise awareness about the causes close to his heart.

Through his bond with NJ, Jai hopes to show that even in the hardest battles, compassion can offer a path to healing.

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