A CHARITY supporting armed service veterans has collected hundreds of cans of dog food to help people and their pets over the festive period.

The Finchale Group, a Durham-based charity which is now working from Belmont Industrial Estate, held the collection to support ex-servicemen and women and their pets.

Some of the cans have also been delivered to Stray Aid, a dog rescue charity in Coxhoe, the food bank and Safe Homes and Kindness (Shak), another rescue centre near Newcastle.

Angela Kelly, who helped to organise the appeal, said: “Every year we make a big effort to ensure the armed forces veterans are able to feed their pets at this time of year, particularly as some veterans would rather see themselves go without food to ensure their dogs and cats are fed.

“The appeal has done really well this year, we were so pleased with how many cans everyone donated.”

The charity, which supports veterans to find employment, has just relocated to its new building after moving from its previous home at Finchale Training College, which is due to be demolished to make way for housing, as part of plans to secure its long-term future.