A CENTRE that will equip injured or traumatised veterans and military personnel with everything they need for their physical and mental recovery opened today.

Phoenix House is a military and civilian collaboration and was described as “unique” by senior military figures who attended today’s (Tuesday, September 17) opening at Catterick Garrison.

Run by Help for Heroes and supported by the Ministry of Defence, the £10.7m purpose-built recovery centre brings together military charities, health services, education and training organisations, counsellors and countless other organisations.

Brigadier Greville Biddy, from the Coldstream Guards said the centre was an “extraordinary collaboration” between all the agencies needed by soldiers to put their lives back after injuries or trauma.

Speaking at the opening of the centre, he said: “It’s a new approach. It’s utterly unique. It’s brought together the soldiers, their chain of command, the charities and the local authorities, businesses, the education sector, the NHS, all coming together for one common purpose.

The Northern Echo:
A soldier injured in a bomb explosion is on the road to recovery thanks to the facilities at the Phoenix House Recovery Centre

“As an army we have long recognised we can’t exist by ourselves. We need the help of schools for the training, we need hospitals for the sick, so to have the whole community work together is critical because we can’t do it alone.”

The centre has 46 en-suite bedrooms and four family rooms, a recovery centre containing access to service charities and agencies, an adaptive gym with specialist recovery centre, classrooms and a creative area for activities such as wood carving and painting.

It was officially opened by retired Brigadier John Painter, 88, who was wounded in the Second World War and former soldier Gareth Golightly, from Hartlepool, who lost a leg in a car accident ten years ago whilst serving with the Royal Logistic Corps. Mr Golightly and his family were the first to use the centre.

Co-founder of Help for Heroes, Bryn Parry, who helped set up the centre, said it would provide support for serving and veteran personnel and their families for the rest of their lives.

“Today, everyone who has supported the charity – from donating £2 for a wristband to taking part in a challenge or giving professional time and experience – can see just how much they have helped to achieve.

“The war in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, but for the men and women who served in our recent conflicts the battle is only just beginning. We at H4H will battle for them to ensure that they get the very best support, for life.”

• A fundraising Help for Heroes Fashion Show will be taking place at the centre on October 8.

Tickets for the event available from:  DARLINGTON: The Northern Echo office, Priestgate; Saks, Blackwellgate; Guinot, High Row; Leggs, Skinnergate; and CATTERICK: Help the Heroes Phoenix House, Richmond Road.  Alternatively email lucy.wray@helpforheroes.org.uk or call 01748-834148

Tickets are £5 with a complimentary glass of wine.