A charity that provides vital support to war veterans with combat stress and their families has earmarked Manchester as a potential future location.
Mark Smith, 53, of Warrington, launched Blue Apple Heroes in 2012 after suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The charity, which supports 47 veterans and advises 90 families worldwide, is currently based in Warrington but hopes to enlarge its premises to accommodate for veterans in other areas.
Blue Apple Heroes has recently lost its Woolston warehouse, where it held furniture to raise funds to carry out activities, but remain confident of finding new locations in Manchester and Liverpool.
“Losing the warehouse is a massive setback for us but we just need to focus as we look to expand,” Mr Smith said.
“We need people to donate, that is the most important thing for us – without help we are struggling.
“If we don’t find other properties in other areas more reachable for veterans in other places then there will be people who need help going without it.
“Liverpool and Manchester are possible areas we could move into. We have a few ideas and the sooner we can get it sorted, the better.”
Any potential property would provide a base for veterans to carry out arts and crafts activities.
The charity is still recovering from losing money earlier this year after utilities company Utility Warehouse wrongly took £960 from its account but Mr Smith is confident of the future.
“What has happened will only make us stronger,” he added.
“It has been difficult few months for the charity but we just have to keep plugging away so we can continue to provide the help to veterans and the families – that is what is most important.”
Image courtesy of Blue Apple Heroes, via Facebook, with thanks
