Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

By way of introduction I am the Chairman of the ABF The Soldiers' Charity for Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Co Durham and Cleveland.

The Soldiers' Charity was founded in 1944. We support the Army family by giving grants to individuals and other specialist charities that help soldiers and their families. We work with veterans from every conflict since the Second World War, including those from recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We make grant payments within 48 hours of receipt, making a significant difference at a critical point in many lives.

On top of this The Soldiers' Charity needs to raise significant funding to help help prepare wounded, injured and sick soldiers who will be discharged for life in 'civvy street'. Four Personnel Recovery Centres (PRC) are being built to give them the skills they will need to cope in the future. One of the centres will be in Catterick Garrison. Each soldier will have an Individual Training Plan (IRP) tailored to their particular needs, it will include job and vocational training an average cost of £12K, with some 750 soldiers a year passing through the estimated annual cost is £9M.

The PRC will have facilities for 40 day visitors, 20 live in and two family suites for theose with families requiring long term treatment. They will also have a gymnasium and other specialist equipment to help with long term recovery. No soldier will be discharged until he/she is ready for life as a civilian, they will also be monitored closely for two years after discharge with additional help provided where necessary.

This is a significant development in the care of our wounded, injured and sick soldiers, at last there is a programme in place that will ensure they receive the care and treatment they deserve.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

So please dig deep and help The Soldiers' Charity to help those who have given so much on our behalf. Many thanks.

Eric Ingram (Chairman ABF The Soldiers' Charity(NE))