£40,000 appeal launched to fund accommodation for homeless veterans in Hartlepool

Jaime Horton, who served in the Army’s Royal Logistics Corps for 13 years, has been working with homeless veterans across the North East for some time.

Just last week she and friend Paul Suggitt, who is making a documentary on the issue, helped rescue a veteran who was living in makeshift shack on the beach at Hartlepool in freezing temperatures.

He is now getting the support he needs. But Jaime says there are many more like him who are not getting the support they need or are waiting too long.

She has started the Forgotten Veterans fund via Facebook and says there are several potential suitable buildings for emergency accommodation in town.

Jaime, who is on the Hartlepool Armed Forces Liaison Group, said: “They are homeless right now and need the support today not next week.

“The quicker we can get the funds together the sooner we can be offering people a roof over their head, the support they so dearly need and with your help we can keep people off the streets.

“We will use the money raised to pay for a building to house the homeless and furnish it, to have support workers on site to assist them and help them get back on their feet and back into employment by offering them immediate temporary accommodation for up to 28 day, longer if needed.”

Jaime said the building would predominantly be for veterans but could also be for anyone who is homeless.

She said it would need involvement of the council, alcohol and addiction, and mental health professionals to give people wrap around care.

As well as money, she is also appealing for furniture and volunteers.

Paul Suggitt, from Hartlepool, who has raised thousands for charity through his extreme challenges, is currently making a documentary called Street Soldier.

He said: “In the forces they are told when to do everything but when they come out they are suddenly out of their comfort zone.

“It’s sad to see when they have served their country.”

He added many veterans also suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To donate to the fund click here