AN RAF veteran is calling on people across Dorset to volunteer to provide vital support for the men and women who have served their country.

Veteran’s charity Help for Heroes is trying to expand its reach in local communities, and as part of this, it wants more volunteers to come on board.

The charity provides essential support for veterans across the country, and with five people on average medically discharged from the UK military each day, the need for support grows.

44-year-old Clare Keating lives in Poole and served for seven years in the RAF, servicing helicopters.

In 2008 she was medically discharged after developing an eye condition, which left her partially sighted.

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She has received support from the Help for Heroes mental health service and has taken part in sports and social activities organised by the charity, including singing with the choir.

She said the charity was there when she most needed support.

“It’s really been a lifeline for me and thousands of other veterans, but it needs to recruit more volunteers so it can support more men and women who have served,” she said.

“As well as providing clinical, mental health and welfare support services through a team of dedicated advisors, the charity works with groups to support veterans and their families to connect with each other and their communities through sports and social activities.

“These activities can be an important part of recovery and the charity wants to expand this activity in Dorset but to do this, it’s going to need volunteers.”

Help for Heroes is currently supporting 101 veterans across Dorset.

The charity aims to work with volunteers, national and local organisations to offer activities for veterans and their families such as wheelchair basketball, archery, rowing, as well as activities such as photography and creative writing.

It is also hoping to expand its regular drop-in café social sessions.

Clare added: “I know personally what a valuable job Help for Heroes does. There are approximately 22,884 veterans living in Dorset and if we can recruit people who are able to give a couple of hours a week, the charity can do more for local people.

“We also need people who are happy to help us with fundraising events. Last year our volunteer fundraisers helped us out with bucket collections at supermarkets and other locations.

“If you’d like to find out more about how you can volunteer or have a passion for a sport, creative or social activity that you think you could

For more information about volunteering with Help for Heroes, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/give-support/volunteer/