At Donut Pig Digital Marketing, we talk a lot about helping small businesses find their voice. But today, we’re sharing something different , something deeply personal about the man behind the brand.
This is the story of me, the founder of Donut Pig Digital Marketing. It’s a story about service, loss, rock bottom, and the charity that pulled me back from the edge. It’s also the story behind my upcoming book, Purple Hope – How Erskine Saved My Life.
Sometimes the most powerful thing a business can do is show its human side. This is mine.
From Serving Queen and Country to Losing Everything
My journey started in the Royal Air Force. For anyone who’s served, you’ll know the military isn’t just a job , it’s an identity. It’s structure, purpose, camaraderie, and belonging. It’s knowing exactly who you are and where you fit in the world.
When that gets taken away, the fall can be brutal.
For me, leaving the RAF meant losing far more than a career. It meant losing my sense of self. The transition to civilian life , something many assume is straightforward , became a spiral that led to places I never imagined I’d end up.
Mental health struggles crept in quietly at first, then loudly. The things that once felt manageable became overwhelming. And before long, I found myself facing something he’d never thought possible: homelessness.
> “When you’ve served your country and then find yourself with nothing , no home, no purpose, no hope , it breaks something inside you. I didn’t recognise myself anymore.”
This isn’t a story I share lightly. But it’s one that matters, because I'm not alone. Thousands of veterans across the UK face similar battles every single day , and far too many suffer in silence.
The Moment Everything Changed: Finding Erskine
When you’re at your lowest, sometimes hope arrives in unexpected forms.
For me, that hope came in the shape of Erskine Veterans Charity , specifically, their centre in Forres, Scotland.
Erskine has been supporting veterans and their families since 1916. They provide care, accommodation, and support services to ex-service men and women who need help rebuilding their lives. For me, they provided something even more fundamental: a lifeline.
At the Forres centre, I found more than just a roof over my head. I found people who understood. Staff who listened without judgement. Fellow veterans who’d walked similar paths. And slowly , very slowly , I found my way back to himself.
“Erskine didn’t just give me somewhere to stay. They gave me a reason to keep going. They saved my life. I don’t say that for dramatic effect , I mean it literally.”
The journey wasn’t quick or easy. Recovery from mental health struggles and the trauma of homelessness never is. But with the right support, I began to rebuild. I rediscovered purpose. When I started Donut Pig Digital Marketing I made a promise to myself: one day, I’d give back.
Why ‘Purple Hope’ Had to Be Written
That promise became Purple Hope – How Erskine Saved My Life.
This book is my honest, raw account of my journey , from serving in the RAF, through the darkest chapters of my life, to finding hope and healing through Erskine. It’s not a glossy success story with the hard bits edited out. It’s the real thing.
Why “Purple Hope”?
Purple is a colour often associated with veterans and military service. But for me, it represents something more , the blend of the darkest blue (those lowest moments) with the red of courage and survival. It’s hope born from hardship.
The book covers:
- Life in the RAF , the pride, the purpose, the bonds formed
- The unravelling , what happens when identity and mental health collapse
- Homelessness , the reality that so many veterans face but few talk about
- Erskine’s intervention , how the charity stepped in when I needed it most
- Recovery and rebuilding , the slow, imperfect journey back to life
It’s written for veterans who might be struggling right now. For families who don’t know how to help. For anyone who’s ever felt like there’s no way out. And for people who simply want to understand what so many ex-service personnel go through.
Breaking the Stigma: Asking for Help Is Strength
One of the biggest reasons I wrote this book is to tackle the stigma around mental health , especially in military and veteran communities.
There’s a dangerous myth that asking for help is weakness. That “real” soldiers, airmen, and sailors should be able to handle anything. That struggling means failing.
That’s rubbish.
The bravest thing I ever did wasn’t anything he did in uniform. It was admitting I couldn’t do it alone. It was accepting help when every instinct told me to tough it out. It was walking through the doors at Erskine and saying, “I need support.”
If you’re reading this and you’re struggling , whether you’re a veteran or not , please hear this:
- Asking for help is not weakness. It’s courage.
- You are not a burden. You are worth supporting.
- There are people and organisations who want to help. Let them.
Mental health doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care about your rank, your achievements, or how strong you think you should be. And recovery is possible , I am living proof.
50% of Proceeds Go Directly to Erskine
Here’s the part that matters most to Shaun: 50% of all proceeds from Purple Hope go directly to Erskine Veterans Charity.
This isn’t a token gesture or a marketing angle. It’s a debt being repaid. Erskine saved my life, and every book sold helps them do the same for other veterans who are where he once was.
When you buy Purple Hope, you’re not just getting a book. You’re directly funding:
- Care home places for veterans who need round-the-clock support
- Transitional accommodation for those rebuilding their independence
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Activities and therapies that give veterans purpose and community
Every purchase makes a genuine difference.
Join the Waitlist Today
Purple Hope – How Erskine Saved My Life is coming soon, and you can be among the first to get your copy.
If this story has resonated with you , whether you’re a veteran, a family member, someone who’s faced mental health struggles, or simply someone who wants to support a meaningful cause , we’d love you to join us.
A Final Word
At Donut Pig, we help small businesses tell their stories and connect with their communities. But sometimes the most important story to tell is your own.
My journey from the RAF to homelessness to recovery isn’t comfortable reading. But it’s real. And if sharing it helps even one person realise they’re not alone , that there’s hope, that help exists, that asking for support is the strongest thing they can do , then it’s worth every word.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And if you’re in a position to support Erskine by grabbing a copy of Purple Hope, thank you for that too.
Together, we can break the stigma and bring hope to those who need it most.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. In the UK, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit Erskine to learn about support for veterans.
