Military VIPs, including a D-day veteran and the granddaughter of Dame Vera Lynn, gathered in Ryde on Friday (20th May) to attend the opening ceremony of a new floor dedicated to former service personnel at the Island’s first Veterans Hub.
The Veterans’ Lounge in Ryde officially opened its doors in December last year – the first of its kind on the Isle of Wight – and has now expanded its space with a first floor refurbished with veteran well-being in mind.
In attendance for the opening were Tesni Jones, Dame Vera Lynn’s granddaughter; Roy Hayward, D-day veteran and Michael Lilley, the Mayor of Ryde.
Founder Dale Hillier and manager Mick O’Leary both made speeches, thanking their many supporters.
Upstairs at the hub there’s now a room for counselling or speaking with a veteran in confidence, plus a room with massage chairs to boost morale and offer a relaxation area.
Dale Hillier, founder and patron said:
“We are very proud to be welcoming so many ex service men and women today, and are very honoured to have the Ryde Mayor and a few dignitaries attending… This project has become a real passion for Mick and I, and we are delighted to share our new space with everyone today”.
Mick O’Leary, hub manager, said:
“We do have a great bit of banter here, and a great laugh and I think we have achieved a lot.’
“Our main forward aim is that we’ve found a few veterans have been made homeless and we want to find some accommodation, so that if a veteran comes to us for help – then we can find them that short-term place to stay”.
