A CAMPAIGN to raise £100,000 for a Help For Heroes recovery centre to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War has got off to a flying start with hundreds of pounds flooding in during the first week of the appeal.

Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison, the only one of its kind in the region, supports sick, injured or wounded service personnel and veterans with educational or practical courses, training, fitness and welfare advice.

And after launching last Wednesday in The Northern Echo, the Phoenix House appeal has netted more than £700 towards the £100,000 target to pay for a new Wellbeing Centre as part of the complex.

It will incorporate not only specialist sport facilities including a wheelchair basketball court and archery range, but also a space for theatre and arts activities to help boost confidence.

Centre manager Mo Usman said: “The immediate response from Northern Echo readers both in the region and beyond has been fantastic, and we just hope it continues throughout the campaign.

“We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who has donated so far – it does make such a difference.”

One of the first donations came from Dorothy Laurence, 77, who pledged £100 to the appeal. In a note written to Phoenix House Mrs Laurence explained that following an accident she lost the use of her left arm and hand, and after extensive operations and treatment she has regained most of the use of them.

But she said the loss of her ability to use her hand and arm struck her that many service personnel and veterans were in similar situations, or worse.

She added: “I think our forces do a wonderful job and I wish every one of the injured a speedy and successful recovery.”

But staff at Phoenix House are keen to stress the importance of filling in the form to ring-fence the money for Phoenix House, otherwise the cash will go to Help for Heroes and will not be included in the £100,000 total.

Some donations had been sent to the centre but had had no form and no return address so they could not be contacted.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

TO contribute to the appeal, click here to open the appeal form. Print out the form, complete it and send the form to us along with a cheque for the amount you would like to contribute.

Please make cheques out to “Help For Heroes” and attach them to this form to ensure that the money is directed to Phoenix House.

Send them to “Help For Heroes, Northern Echo Appeal, Phoenix House Recovery Centre, Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 3AW.