UK veterans with mobility issues attributable to their service can now apply for support from the reinstated Veterans’ Mobility Fund (VMF).

Administration of the life-changing fund was awarded to Help for Heroes and Blesma by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) and the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund in September, 2023.

The VMF is a central fund, awarded by the OVA, to support veterans with physical disabilities through grants to enable them to access mobility equipment that improves their quality of life.

It is believed there are more than 1.85 million veterans in the UK, and some will be entitled to grants from the VMF, which will remain open for five years.

Eligible veterans will, ordinarily, be in receipt of a War Pension or an award from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

James Needham, Help for Heroes’ CEO, said: “This fund will make a vital difference to the lives of those injured during military service and we are pleased the Government has recognised the mobility challenges some injured veterans face.

“Since the previous fund closed in 2021, Help for Heroes has spent more than £400,000 of charitable money supporting veterans with mobility grants. Now, with the fund’s reinstatement, more injured veterans will have access to life-changing mobility support.”

Vivienne Buck CBE, Blesma’s CEO, added: “The Veterans’ Mobility Fund provides critical support to our limbless Members injured during service. The provision of specialist mobility support, equipment and medical care is essential to enable our veterans to live independent and fulfilling lives.

“It is, therefore, a welcome return of this fund, to continue to support our limbless members throughout their lives, and to assist them to adapt immediately after injury, or as equipment and technology develops and changes the way they live their lives.”

Veterans' Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer said: “We have made great strides in supporting veteran healthcare and recovery, and the opening of the OVA-backed Veterans’ Mobility Fund is an important step in improving the lives of veterans across the UK.

“This fund will support veterans with physical disabilities to access mobility equipment that will improve their quality of life and will complement Government and third-sector health services across the UK.”

Eligible veterans can apply for life-changing grants or equipment to help with their mobility needs, from 12 March, 2024.

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The Charity helps veteran families recover and get on with their lives.

Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity, was formed in 1932 and supports veterans who have lost limbs or the use of limbs.

Further information about the application process can be found at (https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/veterans-mobility-fund). For other needs visit (https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help) or (https://www.blesma.org).

Notes to Editors

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Story behind the image: This is Tony Williams, from Merseyside. He is now an ambassador of the Charity following the support it has given him. He is a former Army medic who was shot multiple times. The Charity supported him with a leg brace, which would have been funded through the VMF had it been running. Tony says this has transformed his life – he’s got married last year, can now play football with his girls, and has lost more than two stone.

About Help for Heroes:

• Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service.

• The charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives.

• It has already supported more than 30,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.

• Help for Heroes relies on the spirit and generosity of the great British public.

• Any monetary figures quoted, as funds raised or donated, have been supplied by the fundraiser/donor and are quoted in good faith.

• Help for Heroes has attained the Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS), a programme run by Fighting With Pride, which demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to providing inclusive and welcoming support to LGBT+ veterans, serving personnel and their families.

• Help for Heroes’ online Suicide Awareness Training course can be viewed at (https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/mental-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-awareness)

• Help for Heroes is actively recruiting new volunteers. To register your interest in becoming a Help for Heroes volunteer go to h(https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/give-support/volunteer).

• Help for Heroes’ range of self-help guides, on numerous subjects, is available for all to access.

For additional information contact Dave Bowers, Help for Heroes’ press officer (South & Wales), on 07483 082 813 or at dave.bowers@helpforheroes.org.uk.

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