Club makes a meal of helping veterans
ADELICIOUS full English, the splendour of the town hall’s dining room and the chance to socialise with serving soldiers and veterans.
With such culinary and social delights on offer it’s little wonder that Rochdale council’s Veterans’ Breakfast Club is thriving as it celebrates a successful 12 months.
The breakfast club was formed in partnership with the Rochdale branch of The Royal British Legion to provide a vital support and social network to local veterans.
Since May 2016 over 1000 breakfasts have been cooked up and served to members of the armed forces from across the borough and beyond.
It’s part of the council commitment to veterans’ welfare as part of the military covenant.
Organisations that regularly attend include the Royal British Legion, The Fusilier Association, the Parachute Regimental Association and Veterans in Communities.
Coun Alan McCarthy, the council’s lead member for the armed forces, said: “The breakfast club provides veterans with the weekly chance to share stories, socialise and enjoy a fantastic breakfast.
“It’s a vital support network helping to raise the profile of local veterans’ groups. Well done to everyone involved.”
Mayor of Rochdale, Coun Ray Dutton, said: “It’s an informal environment that allows likeminded people to come together.
“We can be proud in Rochdale of our armed forces community and now additional funding from the council will ensure the club continues to support our veterans all year round.”
Peter Clegg, president of Rochdale Fusiliers Association, said: “We should never underestimate the pastoral and welfare benefits the breakfast club provides to veterans and dependants.
“It’s been a successful year and long may this Rochdale success story flourish.”
The Veterans’ Breakfast Club is held every Thursday in the town hall’s dining room.
Doors open at 9am and a breakfast costs £2.50.
The council signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012, aimed at encouraging communities to support services that promote and encourage activities that help military and ex-military personnel including dependants.