EX-MILITARY personnel in the region are to receive more support following a £20,000 award from a Ministry of Defence (MOD) fund.

The funding has been donated to enable aid the work done by the FirstLight Trust in supporting former members of the armed forces.

The trust helps veterans and their families who may be suffering severe stress, in their communities and homes through its network of cafes and centres.

The charity, which also supports former emergency service personnel, helps many people get back on their feet during their transition back to civilian life.

The trust has two community hubs in Redcar and Scarborough. It recently appointed a new northern regional coordinator to open branches in Hartlepool and Lancaster and also identify veteran “hot spots”, in particular in remote areas of North Yorkshire, Redcar and Cleveland.

The money has come from the Ministry of Defence’s Covenant Fund.

“We started our charity to help disadvantaged, mentally ill or injured veterans locally, in their own community,” explains FirstLight Trust’s Dorinda Wolfe Murray.

“Many find returning to civilian life a real challenge with some even ending up on the streets.

“We provide practical support, activities and a place to come for a chat. 76 per cent of veterans who benefit from our projects are from the army, with 18 per cent from the RAF and six per cent from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.”

The regional co-ordinator is based in Redcar and will coordinate and introduce new support and trading services to help improve the lives of veterans.

FirstLight Trust works with existing services such as local authorities’ adult services, probation and charities to deliver on the ground services. A major part of the job will therefore be to strengthen links and research opportunities.

“Our charity cafés in Redcar and Scarborough have been a real success with the public and veterans alike.

“They help raise funds and give veterans somewhere to go for a chat and a cuppa,” adds Dorinda.

“We are extremely grateful to the Covenant Fund for their support.

"They have enabled us to recruit a real ‘go-getter’ to help set up new Sharpe café hubs, named after the soldier famously played by Sean Bean.

"The fact that she can also bake wonderful cakes to sell is a definite plus!”