Work is underway in North Down on the creation of Northern Ireland's only veteran's centre.
Beyond the Battlefield are creating a new veteran's retreat that will be able to provide former armed forces personnel with somewhere to come for a bit of rest and relaxation in a supportive environment.
Based in Portavogie, the centre is currently under development at the site of a former Chinese buffet restaurant that the charity says has turned out to be the perfect location, already equipped with en-suite bedrooms.
Read more: Two men to take on 'even bigger dander' for armed forces charity
The charity hopes that it will be a centre where veterans will be able to come and work on their mental health, take part in outdoor activities or even have a short holiday. There are also plans for it to be used as a place for homeless veterans to stay while they are supported to get back on their feet.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Chief Executive of Beyond the Battlefield, Annemarie Hastings, said: "Work is currently underway on our new veteran's centre here in Portavogie which will be the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland.
"The 10-bed retreat will be somewhere that current and former members of the armed forces will be able to come for a bit of respite and we offer various services in order to support them with everything from mental health issues to legal issues and managing their lives.
"It will also be somewhere that any veterans experiencing homelessness will be able to come and we can support them to get back on their feet.
"There will also be outward bound activities, with the centre being only a short walk to the beach, and a cafe and restaurant and we know that it is something that the armed forces community have been crying out for in NI."
Beyond the Battlefield provides a wide range of services to veterans providing mental health support, help with benefits and pensions, legal advice and housing support.
Robert McCartney said: "During the pandemic we have helped over 800 veterans who have come to us for support and to have a centre like this where people will be able to come for a few days to recoup is really important.
"It has been hard work over the past few months since we took over the building, we have had to scrub the place from top to bottom but we are getting there. Thankfully the centre was almost purpose built for us with 10 bedrooms already available to us and another 10 that we can access at a later date."
Fundraisers Connor Ferguson and Ian Reid were thanked by the charity for their support of it and the centre, raising over £22,000 last year when they had a 'Big Dander' around Northern Ireland.
The pair are taking part in a bigger challenge this year for Beyond the Battlefield, where they will walk around the UK and Ireland in May in the hopes of raising even more funds to support the centre.
Annemarie said: "Without the support of people like Connor and Ian we would not be able to provide the services that we do. We are so grateful for the support they have given us over the past few months with their wonderful fundraising efforts that brought people from across Northern Ireland together."
If you would like more information about Beyond the Battlefield please follow this link.
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