Veterans of the Bury Forces await an early Christmas present this year.
Bury Leisure, the community’s in-house sports and fitness provider, has announced that all district veterans can use the community-operated leisure centers for free.
It is part of an agreement between the Bury Council and the NHS Bury CCG to provide all on-duty members, veterans and families with the support they need.
This means veterans can step into current serving staff to ensure they are recognized for contributions to the two and not be disadvantaged in certain areas.
Cllr Richard Gold, Cabinet Member for Communities and Champion of the Armed Forces, said, “Bury has a long and proud military tradition and free gym membership is just one of the things we can do to help our veterans.
“Our armed forces defend our nation and protect us in the most dangerous of circumstances, and we have a moral obligation to ensure that we look after them and their families.
“The pact obliges us all to support armed forces personnel, veterans and their families in key areas such as employment and skills, health and well-being, housing and integration into the local community.”
Veterans can now use the facilities of all three community-operated recreational facilities, Castle, Radcliffe and Ramsbottom.
Cllr Andrea Simpson, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said military personnel have been entitled to free gym access for some time.
She said, “I am delighted that we have been able to extend the free recreational offerings to our veterans.
“They have served the city, the county and the nation and this is just one of the things we can do to support them and contribute to their well-being.”
The all-inclusive membership of these facilities includes three swimming pools and state-of-the-art fitness studios, fitness units, racket sports, fitness technology including swimtag, Boditrax and Matrix apps, and wellness support through the Bury Live Well Service.
Dr. Cathy Fines, Chair of the Bury NHS CCG added, “Our armed forces should enjoy the same standard of care and access to physical and mental health care as every member of our community.”
To apply, veterans must present identification, either a MOD 90 ID, BOBVA ID, Bury Veterans Hub Cafe ID, Veterans Railroad ID, Defense Release, or discharge paper.
For more information, please visit www.bury.gov.uk/buryleisure or https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16267.