WOUNDED veterans at Help for Heroes' recovery centre in Catterick have welcomed a unique donation.

A vanload of wood offcuts have been sent to the centre from the picture framer of artist Mackenzie Thorpe.

Malcolm Hepper, who mounts paintings from his studio in Darlington, is supplying the woodshed at Phoenix House, which offers a sanctuary to wounded, injured and sick veterans and military personnel struggling with their mental and physical health.

The idea is to supply the woodshed as well as being more sustainable.

Alun Watkins is one of the woodshed’s most regular visitors who is gaining professional woodturning qualifications as well as therapeutic benefits.

He was a member of the Military Provost Guard Service, providing armed security to protect it against terror threats for an RAF base, before being medically discharged in 2017 after being diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory disease called multi-organ sarcoidosis.

He said: “I’d never been interested in woodwork before being introduced to it when I first visited Phoenix House two years ago, but it’s now become a real haven for me.

"It takes my mind off the pain I’m constantly in as well as making me feel calm.

"I’ve made bowls, goblets and candlesticks out of oak, beech, mahogany and ash which have proved so popular I’m now getting orders!

“Help for Heroes is now supporting me to get my own woodshed at home so when I’m having a bad day and can’t leave the house, I have somewhere safe to escape to,” said Alun, 40.

Bob Marshall, woodshed manager, said: “We are very grateful for this donation of top-quality material that has so many uses.

"Our woodshed provides veterans with a real sense of achievement which in turn helps them to move forward with their lives.”

As the official charity of the recent Tour de Yorkshire, Help for Heroes collaborated with Mackenzie Thorpe as the celebrated cycling event’s official artist on a piece of land art.

Ero Gale, art consultant at Mackenzie Thorpe’s Arthaus gallery in Richmond, said: “We are delighted to continue supporting Help for Heroes, this is a great way of bringing the community together and helping such a great cause.”

Malcolm Hepper, who has been framing work by Mackenzie Thorpe’s gallery, Arthaus, for almost 20 years added: “Not only is this a sustainable way of making the most of the wood but I’m really happy to be giving something back and will continue to do so whenever I can.”

Help for Heroes offers support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving in the armed forces or for the country.

Since the charity was set up in 2007 it has supported more than 21,000 people. The latest data from the Ministry of Defence shows that, on average, seven people are medically discharged from the Armed Forces each day.

A study in 2016 showed that of the 750,000 men and women who served between 1991 and 2014, at least 66,000 need long-term support.

Phoenix House offers access to a wide range of support for veterans.