Newark Advertiser offers a home for Armed Forces' fund

A drop-in centre for wounded or traumatised current and ex-Servicemen and their families has opened at the Newark Advertiser.

Anyone who feels in need of help or just a friendly listening ear, or anyone who has concern for a loved one posted to Afghanistan can call at the Advertiser on a Tuesday morning and meet someone who can help.

A number of serving and ex-soldiers who have already been helped by the Newark Patriotic Fund attended a launch party at the Advertiser's offices for the fund's new drop-in centre today.

The fund co-ordinator, Karen Grayson, will be based in a private room at the Advertiser, on Appletongate, every Tuesday morning between 9.30am and noon.

The fund has previously been run over the phone or through home visits.

Mrs Grayson, whose son is in the RAF, said: "What we have lacked is somewhere where people can come in off the street and discuss their problems confidentially.

"They can be serving Forces, ex-Forces or just be concerned about a son, brother, boyfriend or girlfriend serving in Afghanistan.

"The service we offer is for veterans of all conflicts."

Speaking at the launch, the Advertiser's chairman and editor-in-chief, Mr Roger Parlby said: "It is a great privilage to offer this little base for the patriotic fund.

"We have tried in the past to do what we can in a practical way to help.

"This is just one more contribution we are able to make."

Lance-corporal Johno Lee, who lost a leg in Afghanistan, is the fund's serviceman ambassador.

Lance-corporal Lee, 27, from Coddington, said: "This is such a great idea to have somewhere where people can come to try and get help.

"The strength of the fund is that it's run by local people who want to support local people.

"Many issues can be resolved locally with the intervention of an MP or a councillor.

"There are many people out there who can benefit from this support, just as I have done."

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