A fundraising community group has raised £100,000, in four years, for a veterans' mental health charity.

Healing Military Minds, based out of Brize Norton, was established by Corporal Hayley Court, who served in the Royal Air Force for 32 years.

Having witnessed the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related mental illnesses on fellow service members, she felt impelled to offer support.

Initially conceived as a one-year fundraising mission, the group continues to aid Combat Stress - an organisation providing specialist mental health services to veterans- four years on.

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Earning national and regional media recognition, the group’s efforts caught the attention of the Pride of Britain Awards last year.

Ms Court said: "When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and fundraising dramatically slowed, I decided that I had to act to help this incredible charity continue being there for those in need, and so Healing Military Minds was born.

“Four years later, I’m sitting here just overwhelmed and unbelievably proud that we’ve actually raised so much, and have been able to make such a difference."

Robert Marsh, director of fundraising at Combat Stress, added: "We are 74 per cent dependent on donations, and without the support of selfless organisations like Healing Military Minds, we would not be able to continue being there for veterans across the UK."

The group will host a fundraising ball on November 16 at The De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel, near Cirencester.