Gavin Williamson chats to Geoff Stott
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson praised Broughton House for the care it provides to veterans and for its vision for the future during a visit to the Salford care home for ex-servicemen and women.
Mr Williamson, who was accompanied by Bolton West MP Chris Green, met with veterans, staff and board members during his tour and learned more about Broughton House’s redevelopment plans.
The two-acre site is to be transformed into a Veterans’ Care Village in a £14m scheme.
Mr Williamson said: “Broughton House is truly inspiring charity which makes such a difference to so many people’s lives.
“The north west has always played such an important part in our armed forces and Broughton House is an example of how the whole community is caring for those who have served us.
“To hear some of the stories of those who reside here and what a difference Broughton House makes to their lives lifts your heart and makes you realise what an important charity it is.
“But it’s not just about the past and the present – it’s also about the plans and vision for the future, showing an organisation that does not want to stand still but wants to do more, developing and improving the way they care for veterans.”
During his visit, Mr Williamson chatted with veterans George Simms, Ken Ashworth, Paul Harbron, Jack Pilkington and Geoff Stott, along with Gavin Jones, a former gunner in the RAF Regiment who is leading Broughton House’s Armed Forces Support Hub.
The Hub helps ex-servicemen and women transition successfully to civilian life by offering assistance with health, welfare, housing, social and employment issues.
Mr Williamson also met Broughton House president and Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith, chairman Sir Netar Mallick, trustees George Almond and Edith Conn, and members of the Broughton House staff.
Mr Smith said: “The visit by Mr Williamson was a great opportunity to tell him about what we do and he showed great interest. Broughton House is unique in the north west as the only facility of its kind for veterans.”
ENDS
Gavin Williamson right and Chris Green at Broughton House
Notes to editors
The attached photographs show:
- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, right, and Bolton West MP Chris Green in the Broughton House boardroom.
- Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson chats to Broughton House resident Geoff Stott, 95, a Royal Navy veteran, who was among the surviving crew of the warship HMS Exeter when it was sunk in the Java Sea during World War Two in March 1942. Geoff spent three years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He had volunteered to join the Royal Navy in 1939 at the age of 15.
For more information contact Kevin Feddy on 0161 300 8543 or 07770 543112 or via kevin@kevinfeddymedia.co.uk.
For more information on Broughton House, visit www.broughtonhouse.com
