Veteran appeals for 'lifeline' charity volunteers

Dave Anderson received support from Help for Heroes when he left the RAF

An RAF veteran who damaged his neck while playing rugby is appealing for people to volunteer for an armed forces charity that helped him when he "most needed it".

Dave Anderson, 54, who lives in Somerset, served for nine years as an RAF technician, and was supported by Help For Heroes following the accident to get into wheelchair rugby, which he said has improved his physical and mental health.

Now he is helping the charity appeal for more volunteers.

Mr Anderson said: "Help for Heroes was there for me when I most needed it. It's really been a lifeline for me... but it needs to recruit more volunteers so it can support more men and women who have served."

Mr Anderson was left with weakness and loss of feeling in his right arm and hand, and constant pain in his neck. He also has two fused vertebrae.

Since being introduced to wheelchair rugby through the charity, Mr Anderson has helped with the creation of the charity's wheelchair rugby team and had the chance to play in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup for Scotland.

"I know personally what a valuable job Help for Heroes does," he said.

The charity is currently supporting 85 veterans across Somerset and said it is trying to bring more people on board as it expands its reach in local communities.

It said it is looking for volunteers who can help with the running of its cafes, sports activities, social activities and fundraising.

Mr Anderson said: "There are more than 43,200 veterans living in the Somerset area and, if we can recruit people who are able to give a couple of hours a week, the charity can do more for local people."

Mr Anderson describes the work of the charity as 'valuable'

According to the charity, on average, five people are medically discharged from the UK military every day.

Some veterans must find new ways to live with a physical disability, others face complex mental trauma and many feel cut off from society, friends, even family.

A Help for Heroes spokesperson said: "We are currently supporting more than 4,000 veterans across the UK.

"By recruiting more local volunteers - either to help us provide services such as sports and social activities, or to help with local fundraising activities –-we can grow our offering and provide more support."