A KIND-HEARTED Whitefield man is forming a charity to help military veterans.

Andrew Mclelland, of Tweedsdale Close, said he was inspired to launch the Starting Again organisation after hearing of friends who have left the Armed Forces and fallen on hard times.

Some people have become homeless or struggled with alcohol and drug abuse and Mr Mclelland said established charities such as the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes do extremely valuable work, but do not always help veterans address such problems.

To launch the charity, the 47-year-old is holding a fundraising event at Radcliffe Borough Football Club, in Pilkington Road, at 7.30pm on Saturday and is urging people to come along to show their support.

There will be a disco, a raffle and a buffet and proceeds will be split between Starting Again and the Stewart Sheridan Fund.

Stewart, aged 10, of Arley Avenue, Bury, has a brain tumour and has been given months to live.

Mr Mclelland, who is unable to work due to suffering from osteoarthritis, said: "I was very moved by Stuart's story when I read it in the Bury Times and I want the fund to benefit from our opening night in some way.

"As for the charity, we are currently awaiting official registration from the Charity Commission and we have three trustees signed up.

"The aim of Starting Again will initially be to build up the funds to rent a unit at Ela Mill in Wash Lane, Bury.

"We plan to sell donated second-hand furniture from the mill and the target is to raise £10,000 so we can look towards opening up a facility in Manchester city centre for homeless veterans to use.

"Ideally, we would like to offer a counselling facility and provide accommodation for people who have been in the Forces and have found themselves homeless.

"It is early doors and we are learning all the time, but I am pleased with how things are progressing at the moment."

Mr Mclelland is also seeking raffle prizes for Saturday night's event. Anyone who can help can call 07958 915 354 or e-mail andrewmclelland@hotmail.com