A regional daily has launched a new campaign to raise money for military veterans who have served their country and now need its support.
The East Anglian Daily Times has joined forces with the Royal British Legion for its Shoulder to Shoulder campaign to help former and active servicemen and women who are in need across East Anglia and Essex.
Editorial staff are urging readers to make a contribution by sending in money via one of the cut-out donations slips being published in the Archant Suffolk paper.
The campaign is being launched to mark the start of the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
EADT editor Terry Hunt said: “Our pledge is that every single penny raised by Shoulder to Shoulder will be used to help people in Suffolk and north Essex.
“The campaign comes as we mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, and turn our attentions to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in our honour.”
Kate Williams, the Royal British Legion’s area manager for East Anglia and Essex, said that readers’ donations can help former and active servicemen and women.
“We receive many requests for assistance in Suffolk and north Essex every day. They range from Second World War veterans who need a new cooker or fridge to young service leavers who require adaptations to their home after injury on operations,” she said.
“The most common items are based around mobility needs and helping people to remain independent, such as mobility scooters, care alarms and grab rails.
“Increasingly, we are seeing younger ex-servicemen and women in need of such items as level access showers, stairlifts and mobility vehicles.”
The Legion helped around 1,000 people in Suffolk and north Essex in 2013 and spent a total of £430,000.
Beneficiaries ranged in age from 22 to 90 and veterans are helped with mobility issues and access, ensuring they retain their independence.