New charity wants to help more veterans

Members of NEL4Heroes attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace

A new charity says it wants to help more veterans and active military personnel in North East Lincolnshire.

NEL4Heroes is a peer-to-peer network offering guidance, support and access to services.

The charity provides support to the armed forces community but wants to reach more people who may need help.

It was established to help the community navigate the challenges of military life and beyond, combat isolation and bring the community together.

The newly registered charity has trustees who are veterans of the Army or Royal Air Force.

Vice-chair Marc Ireland said: "We just want to help those who need help, which may be from friendship, to mental health issues, housing, access to medical care and so on.

"We are passionate about what we do and we are grateful for the support that we have received from like-minded people."

NEL4Heroes works with other charities and organisations to provide support for veterans and serving military personnel.

It organises breakfast mornings at Centre4 in Grimsby, veterans football in Old Clee and talking groups, known as GeoLisa groups, which are supported by Hull4Heroes.

Mr Ireland told BBC Radio Humberside: "We have 7,000 veterans in the North East Lincolnshire area according to the 2021 census.

"Where are they? We want to hear from you - the veterans. We want to help prevent loneliness, social isolation, prevention of veterans taking their own life because they can't cope and not know where to turn."

The charity can be contacted through its Facebook group.

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