The New Milton based charity for veterans and emergency services personnel, is on a mission to bring home veteran John Morris. John moved to Australia over 30 years ago, but has fallen on hard times. He is currently stranded there, awaiting his Covid-19 vaccination.

It is hoped that John will secure a place as a Chelsea Pensioner in the Royal Hospital Chelsea on his return to the UK.

John joined the Royal Artillery in 1939 at the age of 17 and fought as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Battle of Britain. He volunteered for Special Forces and was posted to the Raiding Support Regiment, a branch of the Special Air Service (SAS). John was in uniform until 1946 and then went on to have a career as a Territorial Army reservist in post-war Britain.

Pilgrim Bandits has launched an appeal with a target of £10,000 to bring John back to the UK.  – a total of £6,584 has currently been raised with a target of £10,000.

Former SAS warrant officer and Pilgrim Bandits CEO Matt Hellyer said the charity wanted to help out a fellow veteran in need. He said, “John really needs our help. Becoming a Chelsea Pensioner would be a life-changing opportunity for him, but he’s stranded in Australia waiting for his vaccine. He is really grateful for all the support he has so far received – getting back to the UK is his plight, to live a comfortable life surrounded by his ex-military comrades. He’s 98-years-old and has fallen on hard times, simply due to life experiences, which could happen to any of us, so we want to help him.

“The Pilgrim Bandits and John’s regimental associations are leading the charge in his time of financial hardship and all funds raised will create a life-changing opportunity for John and other veterans in similar situations.”

You can donate to Pilgrim Bandit’s fundraiser to help bring John home here: http://bit.ly/BringJohnMorrisHome