TO RAISE awareness of veterans and service personnel charities, a man from Calne is organising an event in the town hall.

James Sutton, 53, of Calne, has started organising an event which will bring a number of charities together to offer support and advice to veterans, servicemen and families.

Mr Sutton said: “I was in the Air Force for 24 years, serving at RAF Lyneham. In August 2013 I was medically discharged after a brain injury I received in 2010. I didn’t fully recover so I had to move on, with all of the help from different charities it wasn’t clear who I could speak to. Having gone through all of that myself I wanted to see if I could get something running, hopefully not just a one off.”

A number of charities have already confirmed that they will attend the event, which takes place on June 8 at Calne Town hall, with the Royal British Legion, Blesma, Help for Heroes and the Not Forgotten Association along with a few others.

“All of the charities tend to work together now, this event will be to raise awareness in the community and is not just for veterans and acting service people. Everyone is welcome, what I hope is that people will come along and be able to meet and talk to some of the charities with the added chance of people to network,” added Mr Sutton.

Mr Sutton spent half of his life in the Air Force before sustaining his injury, so the forces have been a big part of his life and career.

“I was working in Bournemouth on a dispatch unit, I was 24 at the time, I was out on a delivery when I was sat down by a Sergeant who chatted to me about the career. At that time I was looking for something more permanent. I joined up at the age of 26, it was very difficult to leave as I had signed up for 30 years and was discharged with six years left,” said Mr Sutton.

The charity event will take place on June 8 from 10am-5pm in the first floor room of Calne Town hall.