“They are the Chelsea Pensioners of the north” – A veteran has become an ambassador for Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford

Veteran Andy Reid MBE has become the ambassador for Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford.

Dubbed the home of ‘Chelsea pensioners of the north’. Andy said: “I heard a lot about Broughton House and the fantastic work they do there caring for veterans.

“I went along for a visit to see for myself and I came away with a great feeling about the place.

“Seeing the high level of care provided for veterans was amazing. They are the Chelsea Pensioners of the North.”

The 45-year-old from Rainford, near St Helens, is keen to raise awareness and funds to support the facility.

Andy was serving in Helmand Province as a corporal in the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment in 2009, when he stood on an improvised explosive device while on patrol.

The blast saw him lose his right arm and his legs. Since then, Andy has dedicated his life to raising awareness and funds for civilian and military amputees.

He set up the Standing Tall Foundation (based in St Helens), which offers support and programmes for veterans and disadvantaged community groups – work which saw him awarded an MBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“Through my foundation I regularly come across veterans in need and will have no hesitation in promoting Broughton House and all it stands for to them and their families.

“I hope that by being an ambassador I can help to raise the profile of Broughton House and by doing so help them raise funds.”

Broughton House is undergoing a £13m transformation to create the UK’s first Veteran Care Village, and the first stage was completed in September 2020.

Chief Executive at Broughton House, Karen Miller, said: “As a veteran himself, he truly understands the ethos of the service family and the role Broughton House plays in supporting and caring for veterans in the north west.

“We look forward to Andy helping to raise our profile and lending his support to us, particularly as we have expanded the range of services we are now able to offer the veteran community.

“His passion and enthusiasm for life are infectious, and it’s wonderful to see him engage with our older veterans. Leading by example, he is motivating many of them to work to overcome some of their own mobility challenges.”