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Jim Davidson opens new Care After Combat office in Newark




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Comedian Jim Davidson was in Newark today to open the new office of a charity that supports former military personnel.

The television presenter is executive chairman of Care After Combat, which aims to reduce re-offending rates among military veterans who have committed crimes, and support them and their families.

The charity has operated from a base in Southampton since it was founded in 2014.

The new office at the Beacon Innovation Centre, on Cafferata Way, Newark, will cover the midlands and the north.

The MP for Newark, Mr Robert Jenrick, the Bishop of Sherwood, the Right Rev Tony Porter, and the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Judy Naaké, attended the opening.

The charity’s Project Phoenix, which was launched in May, aims to reduce re-offending among the veteran prison population.

Mentors working with the charity visit prisons and provide support to veterans to try and stop them re-offending.

The charity will also support former military personnel battling drug and alcohol problems.

'We fill a hole left by society'

Jim Davidson, chairman and founder of Care After Combat, said: “The thing we do most of all is give them some of their self-esteem back. We fill a hole left by society.

“It is in everybody’s interest to reduce re-offending, not only for society but for the amount of money it saves.”

Jim has been a supporter of the military for many years.

In 2000 he founded the British Forces Foundation, which provides entertainment for serving personnel.

His involvement with the military led to the Government asking for his support in setting up a charity that could provide support for veterans.

Care After Combat has so far worked with about 70 inmates in 21 prisons.

Asked why they had moved to the town, Jim said: “Newark is the nicest place around here.”

'Give them a second chance'

The Bishop of Sherwood welcomed the work of the charity.

“I am delighted they are working with prisoners and where there is a military veteran in prison, if they can support them from here, then that’s good news for everyone,” the bishop said.

Judy Naaké said: “I realise how difficult it is for these young men when they leave the Forces.

“What Care After Combat will do is give them a second chance and give them help and support.”

Representatives of Newark Patriotic Fund, who were at the launch, said they would work with the charity.

The fund supports wounded and mentally-scarred serving and ex-Forces personnel and their loved ones in the Advertiser area.

Fund co-ordinator Maureen Haley-McDonald said she would be able to refer people who might be struggling with drug and alcohol issues.



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