A WAR veteran who has raised more than £100,000 for wounded military and their families has held his tenth annual clay pigeon shoot.

Phil Bartlett returned to Spennymoor Clay Pigeon Gun Club, at West House Farm, Fishburn, last weekend to celebrate his 10th anniversary of supporting Help for Heroes.

Mr Bartlett set himself a £50,000 fundraising target in 2010 which he reached five years later and when the amount was doubled, he smashed that milestone last December.

The former solider served in Germany, Northern Ireland, Canada and the Falklands with the Royal Transport Corps from 1974 until 1991, after which he moved to the North-East and became an optical technician.

He said: “Whether you are serving or a veteran now, being a member of The Armed Forces means you are part of a very elite family and we will help each other in anyway we can.

"I decided not to set another target, I just aim to continue to raise as much as I can to support our wounded, injured and sick.

“The event was really successful and saw hundreds of people attend – despite the weather. The venue is already booked for next year so we can continue to raise money and support our veterans and their families."

Other fundraising events Mr Bartlett has held includes the ‘Garrison Gallop’ – a run of 268 miles between Help for Heroes’ recovery centre in Colchester, Essex, and its Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, which he finished on his 60th birthday.

Rob Colgrave, Help for Heroes’ area fundraising manager North-East, said: “A massive thank you to Phil for supporting Help for Heroes for a decade.

"The fact that he reached his £50,000 goal and then continued to raise money shows what a determined and tenacious character he is. We need incredible people like Phil as Help for Heroes relies on public donations for 98 per cent of its income.”

The charity recently launched its ’40,000 Strong’ campaign which is calling for an independent review of the medical discharge process as 40,000 men and women have had to leave the military in the past 20 years due to injury or illness.

To donate to Mr Bartlett's efforts or for more information call 07980–369468, email philbartlett1958@gmail.com or alternatively visit helpforheroes.org.uk online.