GLASGOW Helping Heroes has received two separate grants totalling £140,000 to support veterans and their families.

The first grant will be used to extend the established Glasgow Veterans United football group from a short course to a year-round drop-in group.

A partnership between Glasgow Helping Heroes and the Rangers Charity Foundation, Glasgow Veterans United (GVU) uses football as a vehicle for positive lifestyle changes, providing holistic support and cultivating resilience and social integration.

The second grant of £70,000 has been donated by the Covenant Fund to create a new social and sport group, Curling for Disabled Glasgow Veterans.

Glasgow Helping Heroes staff will work with Scottish Curling coaches to increase social engagement, reduce loneliness and isolation and improve physical and mental wellness among veterans with limited mobility.

Due to Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions, the groups have been delayed but are due to start later this year.

Sir Andrew Gregory, controller at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said: “We are most grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund for these exceptionally generous donations.

“Glasgow Helping Heroes is an exciting and innovative initiative set up between Glasgow City Council and SSAFA to support local veterans and their families.

“These two grants, part of the charity’s Positive Pathways programme, will provide a range of social activities in the local community that will support the mental health and wellbeing of our veterans.”