Wyre Armed Forces Champion announced

Councillor Rogers will spearhead a group of volunteer local veterans tasked with improving access to services and support for serving and ex-service men and women.

The group will produce an Armed Forces Community Covenant for Wyre, a voluntary pledge of mutual support between the borough's civilian and armed forces communities. It will complement the Armed Forces Covenant, which outlines the moral obligation between the nation, the government and the armed forces.

The Armed Forces Champion role was officially launched at a celebratory event held yesterday at Wyre Council's Civic Centre in Poulton. Invited guests included World War Two veterans, serving soldiers of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, representatives from the Royal British Legion and the Mayor of Wyre, Councillor David Bannister.

Councillor Rogers said: "It is a great honour for me to take on this role in Wyre, as I feel very strongly about ensuring that serving and ex forces personnel in our communities receive sufficient support.

"I'm lucky to be working with a dedicated group of veterans who are well positioned to highlight ways in which services can be improved and develop greater integration between local and armed forces communities.

"We will be looking at improving access to health and housing provision by making sure organisations and authorities are aware of the covenant. This will include a focus on mental health support through GPs to make sure people receive the treatment they need.

"We also aim to establish discount schemes with local businesses such as shops and restaurants, and cheaper access to leisure facilities."  

Councillor Rogers will work closely with his counterparts at district and county levels plus representatives from the charitable and voluntary sectors including the Royal British Legion and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help.

Councillor Rogers, elected member for Rossall ward, is a former soldier who served with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He has since worked for the Ministry of Defence, volunteered on the Royal British Legion County Welfare Team and is a Help for Heroes coordinator.

For further information visit www.wyre.gov.uk/armedforceschampion.

Picture shows Councillor Terry Rogers, Armed Forces Champion, veteran soldier Eddie Holt from Fleetwood and serving soldier Lance Corporal Dean Wilson, 2nd Batallion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.