AN army welfare charity has relocated its headquarters to the heart of the regions largest army base in the hope of boosting its fundraising to support injured soldiers from the area.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, which provides financial assistance to serving and former soldiers and their families, has opened a new fundraising office for Yorkshire and the North East at the heart of Catterick Garrison in an attempt to raise the profile of the charity and the work it does for forces personnel.

The charity has pledged to support injured soldiers who are being treated at the new Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre, opened last month in the garrison, and estimates the it will need to double its income in the next four years in order to meet the increased costs.

The new office, based at the existing Army Welfare Services depot at Hipswell Lodge, was opened by Colonel Nick Millen, Commander of Catterick Garrison.

Lt Col De La Haye, the new regional director for fundraising, said: "ABF The Soldiers' Charity is committed to raising funds to give support to soldiers, ex-soldiers and their families, for life.

"The establishment of a recovery capability in Catterick provides another challenge for the charity. While the new Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre is being funded by Help for Heroes and sustained by the Royal British Legion, ABF The Soldiers' Charity will fund the needs of the individual recovery plans that are tailored to each soldier who is posted to the personnel recovery unit.

"The charity has identified the need to double its' income from £7m to £14m by 2015 in order that it can meet the increasing anticipated demands on its' resources."