Royal Naval Benevolent Trust offers £3m help for cost-of-living crisis

The trust provides support to serving members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines as well as veterans and their families

Almost £3m is available to navy families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, a charity has said.

The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT) said up to 500,000 personnel, veterans and dependants could be eligible for its support.

The Portsmouth-based trust, in its centenary year, has given the equivalent of over £200 million in funding since its inception.

Chief executive Rob Bosshardt said the charity made a "crucial difference".

The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT) is celebrating its centenary year

Established in 1922, the trust provides financial support to cover costs including living expenses, house repairs and disability aids and cares for people in its own care home.

As part of RNBT's research into how to support struggling families in its centenary year, it found more than a third (42%) of people admitted to being worried about going into debt, with two-thirds (69%) admitting to feeling stressed or angry with the current cost-of-living crisis.

In the past year, the trust has pledged more than £161,000 in grants to support both former and serving navy personnel to paIy essential household bills and rent, with "a more recent surge" in the wake of the increasing cost of living.

Rob Bosshardt, CEO of the RNBT, urged those eligible to come forward to apply for financial support.

"I urge anyone from the naval family who needs help to get in touch with RNBT. The first call is always difficult, but you will be talking to someone who is keen to help.

"We want to make a crucial difference at this difficult time for naval people and their families," he added.

Janet Riddell lost a leg while serving in Iraq

Among the veterans helped by the trust is Janet Riddell who lost her who right leg while serving in Iraq.

She said the trust had been a "godsend" after it funded a specialist wheelchair for her.

"Without their help I would have been housebound and God knows what my mental health state would have been.

"They came up trumps - I know what they've done for me and how much they can do for people," she added.