SUPPORTERS of Help for Heroes' northern recovery centre are being asked to get hopping, handicraft-making or hill-walking to celebrate its first birthday.

Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison, which helps wounded, injured and sick veterans and service personnel, officially opened on September 17 last year – and to mark the date the charity is calling it ‘H for Heroes Day’.

Phoenix House is challenging individuals, businesses and community organisations such as schools, youth clubs and sport groups, to take part in an activity beginning with H for The Northern Echo’s £100,000 WWI centenary campaign.

Centre manager Mo Usman said: “You could be sponsored to do anything from hopping, humming and hill-walking to having your head shaved; or sell hot dogs, honey, home-made cakes or handicrafts.”

Since Phoenix House opened, hundreds of wounded, injured and sick service personnel, veterans and families have received support – through confidence-boosting sporting challenges, education courses delivered by the MoD, welfare advice from the support hub or trying new activities.

The Echo’s Centenary Campaign aims to raise £100,000 to fund a performing arts facility at Phoenix House.

Anyone with H for Heroes Day activities planned for Wednesday (September 17) can contact ashley.barnard@nne.co.uk with pictures or information.

To donate visit http://www.bmycharity.com/100kfor100yearsNorthernEchoAppeal; or by cheque, accompanied by the form at http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/files/31397, to Phoenix House, Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3AW. It is important that you use the form in order to ensure that your donation is ring-fenced for Phoenix House.