A BARNSLEY-based charity which helps homeless veterans has met with Ministry of Defence officials to rally support for the good cause.
The Help 4 Homeless Veterans charity helps servicemen and women into accommodation and to develop a civilian career after they leave the forces.
The chief executive of the charity, former RAF airman Steve Bentham-Bates, 62, visited the Ministry of Defence on Monday to discuss issues affecting homelessness for veterans of the armed forces.
Along with the chief executives of other military charities, Mr Bentham-Bates asked officials to encourage other local authorities to give more help to veterans.
He explained how his charity works with both Barnsley and Doncaster councils, through their housing groups, Berneslai Homes and St Leger Homes, to offer accommodation to veterans, a model he says is ripe for other areas to replicate.
The charity rents five properties in Barnsley to house former homeless veterans and since 2012 it has supported between 80 to 100 veterans in Barnsley.
Mr Bentham-Bates said: “We are a small but growing charity that provides rapid help when and where we can to veterans.
“The meeting with the minister confirms that Help 4 Homeless Veterans is building a well deserved good reputation for delivering help to vulnerable veterans amongst the ex-service community.”
