Hampshire veterans with service-related mobility issues can now apply for aid from the reinstated Veterans’ Mobility Fund (VMF).

Help for Heroes and Blesma was awarded administration of the fund by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) and the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund in September.

The VMF is a resource that supports physically disabled veterans by offering grants for mobility equipment to enhance their quality of life.

Hampshire reportedly has around 90,000 veterans, one of the highest proportions in the country, some of whom may be eligible for grants from the VMF.

The VMF will remain open for applications for five years.

James Needham, Help for Heroes’ chief executive, said: "This fund will make a vital difference to the lives of those injured during military service and we are pleased the Government has recognised the mobility challenges some injured veterans face.

"Since the previous fund closed in 2021, Help for Heroes has spent more than £400,000 of charitable money supporting veterans with mobility grants. Now, with the fund’s reinstatement, more injured veterans will have access to life-changing mobility support."

Vivienne Buck, Blesma’s chief executive, added: "The Veterans’ Mobility Fund provides critical support to our limbless members injured during service. The provision of specialist mobility support, equipment and medical care is essential to enable our veterans to live independent and fulfilling lives.

"It is, therefore, a welcome return of this fund, to continue to support our limbless members throughout their lives, and to assist them to adapt immediately after injury, or as equipment and technology develops and changes the way they live their lives."

Veterans' Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer said: “We have made great strides in supporting veteran healthcare and recovery, and the opening of the OVA-backed Veterans’ Mobility Fund is an important step in improving the lives of veterans across the UK.

“This fund will support veterans with physical disabilities to access mobility equipment that will improve their quality of life and will complement Government and third-sector health services across the UK.”

The fund opens for applications today (March 12).

For more information about the application process, visit helpforheroes.org.uk/veteransmobilityfund.