A "vital" veteran support group celebrated its year anniversary. The Bolton branch of the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club was set up in July 2023. The idea started in Hull, when three friends used to meet on a Saturday for butties and banter, before it grew into a movement with over 500 clubs around the world.
The clubs are free, with no subs or fees besides paying for the breakfast. Run 'by veterans for veterans', it is to provide support and camaraderie. On Saturday, July 20, exactly a year on from being founded, veterans and councillors met at the Heywood Park Young People Centre in Great Lever to celebrate the group.
Police also attended (Image: GMP) Chairman, Simon Skirving, said: "I run this every Saturday, all are welcome, the more the better. "It is so important that it continues. I am always grateful to the council, David Hayes deserves a special mention.
"It is just about guys coming and enjoying themselves. Civilians don't understand it in the same way, but we're all brothers." Read more: Residents come together for special event to bring veterans together Read more: Bolton's only veterans breakfast club drums up support so 'no one is forgotten' The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, said: "These sort of organisations are absolutely vital.
"I have been speaking to veterans, they only tell these stories to other veterans. If they are not doing that, they keep it to themselves. "It is vital because voluntary organisations are filling in the gaps.
It has been.