Staffordshire County Council and the Tri Services Centre in Newcastle are working together on proposals that could allow the charity to purchase their building. 

The centre, on Hassell Street, is owned by the county council and has been home to the charity for seven years.

During this time they have helped more than 10,000 veterans, providing a food bank and opportunities to socialise, and its services remain in high demand.

But last month, the charity faced a battle to keep their doors open as Staffordshire County Council planned to sell the building and a protest was staged outside council buildings on 9 February. 

Representatives from the county council and the veteran centre met on 20 February to discuss progress on their plans and fundraising efforts. 

Mark Deaville, Cabinet Member for Commercial at the authority, said that he had very positive talks with the group and explained that the council were fully supportive of their fundraising efforts.

Tri Services And Veterans Support Centre, Hassell Street, Newcastle (Google).

Mark said: "We recognise and appreciate the valuable work that Tri Services centre do in the local community, and we are keen to find a solution which will give them the certainty they need for the future.

"I met with the group and was impressed with their energy and fundraising efforts to date. I reminded the group that the county council would provide whatever support we could, along with helping them identify other sources of funding.

"I do hope the group are able to raise the necessary funds and look forward to their offer, which will mean they can continue their valuable work in the town."

Geoff Harriman, Chairman of the Tri Services centre said: "We are grateful that Staffordshire County Council recognise the large amount of work we have done to the building and will support us in finding bids that we can access, to maintain sustainability of the building and to continue the valuable work we do, not only in the locality but in North Staffordshire as a whole.

"We will continue to have a massive push in fundraising, awareness and to raise the monetary funds to purchase the building.

"To help us, please visit our Facebook page and kindly donate. For every pound we raise, philanthropist John Caudwell has promised to match, for our cause."

READ MORE: 60 authors coming to Stoke to raise money for two local charities

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