WOUNDED, injured or sick service personnel and veterans at Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in Catterick are benefitting from a £350,000 donation from GE UK.

The GE Wellbeing Suite was officially opened by Mel Waters, Help for Heroes chief executive, and Neil Beardsmore, from the GE Community Investment Board, during a visit by representatives of the company’s H4H Charity Champions group.

The group was then treated to a relaxation session in the suite, delivered by a member of the Phoenix House Psychological Wellbeing team.

Staff at GE’s 45 sites raised the £350,000 in two years through a range of activities including bike rides, bake offs, Tough Mudder challenges and concerts.

The new facility offers activities and complementary therapies, such as yoga, pilates, Reiki, sleep clinics and nutrition workshops, and is a designated “quiet space” for individual practice and reflection.

Mark Elborne, president and chief executive of GE UK, said: “Thousands of GE employees from around the UK, many of whom are veterans and reservists, have rallied together for GE’s first national fundraising cause.

“It is thanks to their commitment – from taking part in physical challenges like Tough Mudder to setting up choirs and rock bands to provide musical entertainment – that we have been able to achieve our £350,000 target.”

The new suite is already making a significant difference. John Crudgington, head of health and physical wellbeing, said: “The provision of a dedicated Wellbeing Suite has enabled us to develop our wellbeing offering and support our beneficiaries in achieving improved sleep, improved relaxation and increased confidence in their own abilities.”

John Noble, 52, from Glasgow, served in the Royal Logistics Corps in Bosnia between 1998 and 2000. He suffers from PTSD after completing three successive tours, but yoga has helped with his gradual rehabilitation. He said: “It helps me with my breathing, opening up my chest and I have been sleeping better.”

Former Army Corporal Paul Nichol, 40, has Cauda Equina Syndrome, which affects his lower limbs and back. Yoga has helped him both physically and mentally.

He said: “It has helped my strength and mobility and, therefore, my mindfulness. I started off having to do the classes from a chair but, such is the improvement in my balance, I am now able to stand and use the floor mat.”