Bolton: Residents come together to bring veterans together

Chairman of the Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club, Bolton, Simon Skirving, held the event at Heywood Park Young People Centre, which saw more than 50 people attend, including three councillors, and borough mayor senior civic officer David Hayes.

Simon, who is also an ex-forces veteran, welcomed veterans to the centre in July last year so that veterans felt they had a space to go to.

The Bolton Caledonian pipe band gave an impressive performance, and a number of veterans also attended.

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Children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, as we well as a raffle.

Simon said: “I want to thank the councillors, the pipe band, and all the volunteers who came.

“It was a good day all round, where people shared stories.

“Some people were not from the area.

“Unfortunately, veterans seem to get forgotten, which is a shame, so it’s nice to see veterans turning up, and supporting each other.

“The old boy George Penny, who came with his wife Carol, was made up spending time with the other veterans, and he went away with a smile on his face.

“It makes my job worthwhile and this is so important.

“We don’t get paid to do it.”

The group comes together every Saturday from 10am to 2pm, which is open to all residents and veterans outside of the area.

There is also as well as a monthly residents association meeting on the last Saturday afternoon of the month from 1pm.

For more information or to help with any donations contact Simon via email simonskirving@gmail.com.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.