Downton's Help for Heroes welcomes new charity patron
England football manager Gareth Southgate is supporting the cause
Downton based charity Help for Heroes (H4H) has welcomed a new patron to the cause - England football manager Gareth Southgate.
The former defender says he's 'absolutely delighted' to be backing the charity.
H4H started in a tin hut in Tidworth back in 2007, to give wounded, injured, sick military veterans some care and support as they moved into civilian life.
They've now grown into a national household name, and run personnel recovery centres, like the one at Tedworth House in Tidworth, with their headquarters at Downton Business Park.
Gareth Southgate's been meeting with some of the personnel and staff from Help for Heroes, ahead of the World Cup this winter:
In it, he explains why he got involved:
"My family have got a long history with the military and I'm in a fortunate position, being the England manager, where to support a charity like this can make a difference."
H4H say they're 'thrilled' to have Gareth on board, noting his efforts to work with footballers on their physical and mental health, matching with their own ethos.
Mark Elliott from the charity said:
"Gareth is caring, he's passionate about helping heroes, that is the most important thing. We've got the right man and the right time."