FRIENDS of an SAS Iran Embassy siege hero have launched a public appeal to help pay for his crippling care home costs.
Sekonaia “Tak” Takavesi’s military pension and contributions from family and the local authority do not cover the fees for his specialist care.
Sekonaia ‘Tak’ Takavesi’, circled, and SAS comrades swoop on the Iranian Embassy in 1980[/caption]
The hero’s military pension and contributions from family and the local authority do not cover the fees for his specialist care[/caption]
The SAS Regimental Association cannot afford to keep helping, too.
Tak’s ex-comrade Major Matt Hellyer started the appeal to help cover the round-the-clock care costs via his independent charity the Pilgrim Bandits — and has already raised more than £20,000.
Fiji-born Tak, 81, was one of 20 troopers who stormed the Iranian embassy in West London in 1980 to end a six-day armed siege.
He also won a Distinguished Conduct Medal in Oman in 1972, served in the Falklands and — aged 58 — killed an insurgent in hand-to-hand combat in the 2003 Iraq war despite having been shot in the head, chest and thigh.
Tak has complex health needs and moved into a specialist care home in Hereford last April.
When was the Iranian embassy siege & what happened?
The Iranian embassy siege took place from April to May of 1980.
Panic was sparked when, on April 30, six gunmen took 26 people, including staff, a police officer and members of the public, hostage inside the embassy building.
The group demanded release of prisoners in the Iranian province of Khuzestan as part of a campaign for regional independence, as well as transport out of the UK.
Five hostages were released over the next few days after negotiations with police.
But it was decided by ministers that the gunmen’s full list of demands could not be met.
Instead, the SAS would conduct a raid on the building to rescue the remaining hostages under the name Operation Nimrod.
Two teams of commandos stormed the building on the evening of May 5, abseiling from the roof and using gas grenades to clear the building.
Five of the six gunmen were killed and all except one of the remaining 21 hostages were rescued.
The final gunman, Fowzi Bedavi Nejad, spent 27 years in prison before being granted parole in 2008.
A number of the hostages signed a petition asking for his release, saying he “has been punished” and could not return to Iran as he would be shot “as soon as he got off the plane”.
It is believed he now lives somewhere in South London under a new name.
The siege was the first time the SAS had been brought to public attention, with the service reporting a surge in applications in its wake.
It also inspired films including 1982’s Who Dares Wins and even a Tom Clancy video game.
The average cost of nursing care in the UK stands at £1,528 per week, or £79,456 a year. But specialist homes can charge more.
Matt said: “We have pledged to help pay for the fees . . . to ensure Tak has a wonderful place to eventually grow old gracefully.”
Tak said of the campaign: “At first I was quite embarrassed, but then I was really touched by the massive public response.
“I am really grateful that my service is being recognised.”
His wife Mandy said the SAS Regimental Association had helped towards the first year of his nursing care but can no longer afford to keep up the payments.
She said: “The SAS Regimental Association is doing a remarkable job under immense pressure.
“They always give generously and have done for Tak in the past.
“But they are not a bottomless pit and they can’t keep giving out at this level for life.
“That responsibility should land at the feet of the Government.
“Our Armed Forces deserve the very best of care, our special forces are the best in the world. The Government needs to do better.”
The Ministry of Defence said it could not comment on individual cases.
But a spokesman said: “We hugely value our service personnel and veterans and owe a debt of gratitude to all those who serve.
“Under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and War Pension Scheme, serving personnel and veterans who have illness or injuries caused by their service can receive the compensation that they are entitled to.”
How to donate
To donate to Tak’s Just Giving page scan the QR code.
