THE team behind a veteran's woodcraft centre is appealing for public votes in order to win a grant from an insurance company community fund.

Veteran's Woodcraft, based in Firby Road, in Richmond's Gallowfields Trading Estate, was set up as a centre of excellence for recovery of armed services veterans suffering mental and physical disabilities.

Bob Taylor, Chris Morgan, Ted Granger and Jeremy Williamson set up the centre in 2015 as a not for profit business, but became a community interest company in 2017 and is now has a recognised charitable constitution.

As it relies on grants to deliver its vital work in helping veterans to gain skills, confidence and self-esteem, Veteran's Woodcraft has applied for a grant from the Aviva Community Fund – but is relying on public votes in order to be awarded the funds.

Mr Granger said: "Our aim was to empower veterans to engage in activities to help improve their own quality of life and wellbeing. However, due to the success of our approach and to help with integration we have grown to include all those in the community suffering barriers to inclusion."

The team operates from the workshop in Richmond, and deliver workshops across North Yorkshire.

The Aviva Community Fund offers organisations the chance to get funding for causes important to a community.

If Veteran's Woodcraft gets votes from supporters, it could make it to the finals where a judging panel will award the funds.

Mr Morgan added: "Our workshops are delivered by veterans, who have succeeded in climbing out of the dark hole of despair they had found themselves in due to their dedicated service to their country and comrades.

"Our rebuilding lives with wood projects has been developed for working with a wide range of differing groups that tend to find themselves being socially excluded.

"The funding from Aviva would help us further develop and with our continued expansion, improving our outcomes with training of advanced skills."

The team also raises cash for Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison.

To support the group visit www.veteranswoodcraft.co.uk/news/vote-for-veterans-woodcraft.