STUNNING celebrity images were projected onto town centre buildings at the weekend as part of Armed Forces charity, SSAFA’s latest campaign.

The ‘Got Your Back’ campaign encourages vulnerable veterans and members of our Armed Forces to put aside their pride and come forward for help when they need it.

SSAFA, the UK’s oldest, national, tri-service military charity teamed up with nine well-known TV and sports personalities to project their images onto Darlington's Clock Tower and Feethams Leisure Complex.

The visual campaign has been launched to declare war on the ‘stiff upper lip’ culture, a mentality which the charity claims is preventing the armed forces community from asking for help.

Soldiers and families from Catterick Garrison, local County Durham and Yorkshire veterans and members of the public were invited to the launch, which took place on Friday evening.

Chief executive of SSAFA, Rtd Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory said: “Although the majority of veterans transition successfully, SSAFA’s new research has identified a concerning percentage of veterans and serving personnel who are extremely reluctant to come forward for support if they need it.

“The research has confirmed the charity’s suspicions those younger, working-age veterans who the charity is supporting, tend to come to SSAFA only once they have hit rock bottom.

“When we ask them why they have waited so long before seeking assistance, the answer is very often that they felt too proud to ask.”

Among the celebrities backing the campaign were Hollywood actor Stephen Graham, army veteran and world champion boxer Nigel Benn, GB Olympic Gold medallist Will Satch and Hollyoaks actress and I’m a Celeb star Jorgie Porter.

The personalities agreed to be tattooed for the day with the hashtag #gotyourback to show the nation that they, along with SSAFA, are proud to have the backs of the Armed Forces community.

Research conducted by SSAFA revealed that serving personnel and veterans find it extremely challenging to seek help when they have a problem.

According to the study less than one per cent said they would seek help from a charity if they found themselves in need and 58 per cent said that the feeling that ‘they should be equipped to deal with problems themselves’.