Often PPRuNe is stuffed full of manure.
But amongst all that are the delicate veins of gold - such as this thread. Many of your professional peers Pete are interested, do care, can empathise, wish you well and would like to help even if that is limited to a simple pint down the road.
I think you both did well. The media are twats and despite deciding you were a hero I don't envy what they did to you.
WWW