Combat Stress: Army veterans set for Newport march against charity cuts
Veterans and their families will march in protest against cuts to a mental health charity which has a treatment facility in Newport.
About 30 jobs are at risk at Combat Stress.
More than two dozen people have already confirmed that they will be marching on the Audley Court treatment centre on Friday, and more are expected to turn out on the day.
The job losses are part of a five-year restructuring plan which, the charity said, would “offer greater flexibility and accessibility to treatment so veterans can be supported more quickly”.
But veterans who have used the service feel that the loss of the service's residential programmes could damage lives in the future.
Among those leading the campaign is Pete Neale, who said it was important to act before nothing else could be done.
Nearly 1,500 people have joined the private Save Audley Court Combat Stress Facebook group since it was founded less than a fortnight ago.
"I'm feeling good about the support we've had," he said.
"I just want the truth to the questions and see if we can move forward in the right way before it's too late for some on these veterans.
"They all deserve the right to the right treatment that is safe for them and their families."
Mr Neale said that he thought more solutions should be found to help offset the cost of treatment.
"I just don't think Combat Stress, Sue Freeth and her staff have tried hard enough for more funding from the Ministry of Defence or the government," he said.
"Our group of veterans have come up with so many ideas that they are willing to do to help, like pay for meals, clean their own rooms and corridors or do a online shop for art work to be sold."
The group will meet at the car park on Broadway at 10am on Friday. Around 45 minutes later they will march towards Audley Court, where they are expected to arrive at about 11.15am.
A party will then go inside to meet with Su Freeth. A briefing outside is expected to take place at around 1pm.
At 2pm the veterans will move onto The Pheasant in Upper Bar to plan their next move.
The march is being held in opposition to major changes announced by Combat Stress last month.
Documents filed with the Charity Commission showed that Combat Stress had a deficit of £3.6m in the financial year ending March 31, 2016, generating £13m and spending £16.6m.
Ms Freeth said that Audley Court would "remain an important hub for the services we deliver to veterans across Wales and the Midlands".
