A RETIRED civil servant has issued a new year appeal to businesses and the public to support the region's former servicemen.
Laurie Bristow, who served in the Royal Navy for 12 years, has been appointed to raise funds for the County Durham and Darlington branch of SSAFA Forces Help, the body supporting former military personnel.
The charity's caseworkers provide help for more than 1,000 service and ex-service personnel every year.
Mr Bristow, who retired from the civil service in 1997 and lives in Tow Law, County Durham, said: "There are more than 600,000 people living in County Durham and Darlington and the lives of many will have been touched by a military association.
"I am targeting our appeal at both the man in the street and businesses - particularly those that have a considerable number of ex-service personnel on their books."
Anyone interested in making a donation is asked to write to the county office of SSAFA Forces Help, 53 Old Elvet, Durham City or telephone 0191-383 9452.
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