Support centre named in veteran's honour

Sam Morgan's military service included three tours of Afghanistan

The family of a former Royal Marine who took his own life say a new centre opened in his name will help provide veterans the support he desperately needed.

Sam Morgan, 36, a father of three from Guisborough near Middlesbrough, had post traumatic stress disorder following three tours of Afghanistan and died in November last year.

Morgan House, a new residential unit in Boosbeck, East Cleveland, will help provide care for those who served in the armed forces.

His widow Holly Morgan said: "Having this here has been a positive to come out of all this, as difficult as it is. At least Sam's name lives on."

Mrs Morgan and other relatives visited the centre as it prepared to welcome its first residents.

"The people that come here and the veterans in desperate need, like Sam was this time last year, are going to have support from each other, from professionals, and they're going to be listened to," she said.

Holly Morgan visited Morgan House with her family

The 32-bed centre operated by Healthier Heroes CIC will officially open on 15 November.

The not for profit group, set up in 2018, converted a former care home and approached Mr Morgan's family to ask to name it in his memory.

Andrew Powell, of Healthier Heroes, said: "Sadly, Sam didn't manage to get the help he needed.

"Morgan House being able to help save people and put them back on the right path is an incredible thing and we're really excited."

Morgan House was named in honour of veteran Sam Morgan

Mr Morgan's mental health deteriorated after he left the military, his family previously said.

They said their repeated attempts to get immediate face-to-face counselling or residential treatment ended in failure.

The Ministry of Defence previously said it was "determined to provide the best possible mental healthcare services" to the armed forces.'

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