A NEW club is being set up in Cardigan to offer support and help to armed forces personnel both past and present and their families.

Cardigan Armed Forces and Veterans’ Breakfast Club (CAFVBC) is being launched by Tony Mason, a retired Army officer who served for more than 30 years and now lives in the town.

He will be helped by club administrator Jez Roberts, another veteran from Aberporth, who is keen to support the cause.

“Veterans in rural towns and villages are in my opinion, not being given the same support or are not aware of the support available as in the larger towns and cities in Wales,” said Tony.

“This could be as simple as not receiving sound advice and signposting to support agencies available. People may be struggling out there and not know where to turn and this is one way to help.

“And not only is there a lack of support, there is also simply a lack of opportunities for veterans, serving personnel or their families to get together on regular occasions.”

Those concerns have led Tony to establish the Breakfast Club, which is a UK-wide organisation. There are no fees, other than spending money on a cup of tea or a breakfast.

“I hope that once we get established we will be in a position to help and signpost our members to the relevant support agencies available. We plan to invite guest speakers and professionals to help our members,” said Tony.

“The meetings will be very informal with no structure– it is simply a group of like-minded people getting together and supporting one another.”

The first meeting will take place on December 1 and will then meet on the first and last Saturday of each month. Meetings will be held downstairs in the Castle Café Cellar Bar from 9.30am-11.30am.

The owner of the café is a veteran himself, Steve Greenhalgh, who lost his son Lance Sergeant Dave Greenhalgh, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, in Afghanistan in 2010.

Steve said: “When someone leaves the armed forces, it is a massive change in their lives and their family’s life. They leave all their support network behind and civilian life is so very different. Hopefully, this club will help people.”