A RECOVERY centre for wounded and sick service personnel and veterans has introduced an arts programme.

Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison is holding a taster course in street dance tonight (Tuesday, March 18) to encourage veterans and personnel to try new activities that may aid their healing process.

Phoenix House IT manager, veteran Gordon Greene, is also a former Scottish break-dancing champion and will be showing the veterans some moves.

He said: “I started street dancing when I was about 13 and had started getting into trouble. It got me off the streets and gave me something positive to focus on.

“I will also be showing a film of a young man in the US who has a spine defect but has still made it to be part of one of the largest dance crews in the world.

“I want to show recovering veterans and personnel that there are lots of ways to get back to fitness and street dance can be one of them – it’s fun but requires a lot of strength and dedication to do the extreme moves which are potentially dangerous.”

Phoenix House is looking for volunteers involved all aspects of performing arts to help deliver the programme.

There will be an open evening on Wednesday, March 26 from 6pm to 8pm for potential volunteers to find out more.

To contribute to The Northern Echo’s £100,000 appeal to build a performing arts facility, print out the form at http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/files/31397, complete and send to Phoenix House with a cheque for Help For Heroes – the form is necessary to ensure the money is directed to Phoenix House.

Send to Help For Heroes, Northern Echo Appeal, Phoenix House Recovery Centre, Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 3AW.