Charity for soldiers pitches up at largest Army base

ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity, a vital support service for soldiers, veterans and their families for life, has this week based its regional office in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

In the past year, the charity, which the Yorkshire Post has launched its Christmas Appeal in aid of, has seen a 50 per cent leap in the number of Army families seeking its help, alongside a 30 per cent rise over the past two years in applications from soldiers.

Bosses say the move is vital in order to serve the population of North Yorkshire – in Richmondshire, where the garrison is based, nearly 50 per cent of all jobs in the district are with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) – and to work closer with the other Armed Forces charities, including the likes of the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

Lt Col Brian de la Haye OBE, the regional fundraising director for the ABF in Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Our regional office which has been well established for many years at Strensall Barracks in York, now has moved to Catterick.

“The decision has been made to ensure the charity can more closely manage the Armed Forces community.

“This is very much to address the growing need and to increase our success in fundraising so we can meet the increasing needs of the military community who we serve.

“It also gives us an increased opportunity to be seen to be working alongside the other service charities – this is key to addressing future demands on all of us.

“As the largest military garrison in Europe, it is the logical place for us to be.”

The charity currently estimates that it needs to double its annual income from £7m to £14m by 2015, to cope with the sheer scale of soldiers in need of its support.

The mental and physical health problems facing current servicemen and women are feared to have a profound impact on the region, with all four battalions of the Yorkshire Regiment braced to be deployed to Afghanistan next year in a military commitment the size of which has not been witnessed since World War Two.

On Saturday, the Yorkshire Post launched its Christmas Appeal online auction where readers can bid for some of the most exclusive presents in the region with all proceeds going to ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity.

Over the coming weeks, 50 unique lots will go under the hammer, with new lots announced every week until December 10.

Among the pick of this week’s 10 lots, are tickets for the 2012 Commissioning Parade at the British Army’s Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Surrey.

The Sovereign’s Parade at the end of each term marks the passing out of officer cadets who have completed the commissioning course and is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as the cadets march up the steps of the Old College in front of family, friends and VIPs.

Also on offer, is a seven course tasting meal for two at the Michelin-starred Black Swan at Oldstead, near Byland Abbey, in the heart of rural North Yorkshire.

Elsewhere, people can bid for a luxury Gainford hamper brimming with delicious food and drink items including regional favourites such as Yorkshire Brack.

This week’s auctions close around 5pm tomorrow.

To bid, click the link to the eBay auction at the top of every page on the Yorkshire Post website.

An MoD spokesman said: “The men and women of our Armed Forces are the bravest, most dedicated and selflessly professional people the country has to offer.

“And they are supported by some of the most committed and effective people in the charitable sector.

“The Government recognises the need to do more to ensure our Armed Forces, veterans and their families have the support they need and are treated with the dignity they deserve.”