A NEW charity is being launched tomorrow offering help and support to ex military and service personnel.

The FirstLight Trust will target those battling issues such as homelessness, debt and mental health problems, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Gill Taylor, one of the founding trustees, said: “The FirstLight Trust is unlike any other charity as we will reach those who need our help by going and talking to them on the street, in hostels, in pubs and sadly, often on park benches.

“These are the people who have fallen through the system and have reached an unimaginable loss of hope and self worth.

“This is an innovative approach where the veterans themselves help to build a new future with the assistance of both civilian and military support services.

“It’s about supporting their journey back into society and restoring honour, respect and hope back into their extraordinary lives.”

She added: “Liaison and collaboration with existing military and ex service welfare and support charities is crucial, our aim is to build an infrastructure at ground level to complement the exemplary services delivered by organisations such as the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Combat Stress and BLESMA.”

The launch is taking place in Scarborough, where the first centre has opened.

For more details visit firstlighttrust.co.uk.