A community interest company dedicated to supporting the veterans’ community around Morecambe Bay has been handed a funding boost.
They have received £2,240 from Morecambe Town Council, to help underpin their service delivery until early 2025.
Despite having only been formed in September 2023, the Bay Veteran’s Association already caters to one of the largest veterans’ communities in the North West of England, operating out of its drop-in hub at 23-25 Royalty Mall, Arndale Centre in Morecambe.
Each month, the volunteer team welcomes approximately 600 people through the doors, providing a meeting place designed to help combat issues of social isolation and loneliness for both veterans and those in the wider community.
Facilities and resources such as a pool table, darts, cards, and dominoes are available, with daily wellbeing activities such as boccia, a walking group, ladies’ group, craft group and modelling group organised, emulating the spirit and services of a NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) by encouraging conversation and collaboration in a warm and safe space.
On awarding the grant Jason Slater, Chair of Morecambe Town Council’s Community Grants Committee, said: ‘’The Bay Veteran’s Association’s short existence to date has been very hand-to-mouth as far as funding is concerned.
‘’With an ever-increasing number of veterans and members of the local community looking to them for support, the Town Council hopes the grant provided will help create some much-needed breathing-space so their tireless volunteers can work further ahead and explore other potential funding avenues without worrying about the immediate day-to-day.’
Gary Kniveton, founder of Bay Veteran’s Association, said: ‘’We survive on small pots of funding provided by local businesses and from our continual fundraising efforts so this award will enable us to continue providing our important service until the new year.
‘’We’ve now reached our first anniversary and with that comes the credibility and opportunity to apply to national veterans’ charities for further funding.’
Local businesses or individuals keen to support Bay Veteran’s Association should contact Gary Kniveton at gary@bayvets.org
Praise for Lancaster and Morecambe youngsters who took part in 'tongue movement' project
Clinic where students offer free legal advice to reopen at Lancaster University
Lines reopen after train derailment on Scotland-London line
Police arrest two and seize illegal bike in Morecambe
ITV commissions sixth series of Morecambe crime drama The Bay
E-bike shop moves from Lancaster to new Carnforth showroom
Lancaster workshop to tackle the issue of drink and needle spiking
Morecambe raw feeds shop up for three 'Animal Star' awards
Two new festivals proposed for Morecambe entertainment venue the Platform
Second day of disruption as work continues after train derails in Cumbria
Morecambe lifeboat crew’s swift response rescues swimmer ‘being swept dangerously out to sea’
'Street Meets' announced to answer your questions amid new wheelie bin roll-out
Campaign group welcomes new "life changing" bus service to Morecambe
Lancaster prison worker jailed for drug offences
Major disruption as train derails on West Coast Main Line
Talks begin for events to mark Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Lancaster music venue due to shut will now stay open "well into 2026"
Halloween What's On Guide
LISTEN: Launch of new group in Morecambe to help with gambling addiction
LISTEN: New centre for people with disabilities to open in historic Lancaster location
