A north-east charity, which helps injured veterans regain confidence, has received a substantial grant to continue delivering vital services.
The £150,000 grant was awarded by Help for Heroes to HorseBack UK, an organisation based in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire.
Through organising a range of outdoor activities, HorseBack UK assists veterans in rebuilding their lives and moving forward after the stresses of conflict.
The cash will fund ten courses, benefiting up to 100 wounded, injured and sick veterans.
George Brown, an injured veteran who served for 15 years in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Germany, attended a five-day course last October.
Mr Brown said: “I did not even think I could get on a horse, but that was not a problem as they have all kinds of equipment to help.
“The course was excellent. It is amazing to be able to ‘read’ a horse’s feelings and, by the end of the five days, have a great sense of achievement and a confidence boost.”
Help for Heroes, a UK organisation helping those with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces, has been supporting HorseBack UK since the charity launched in 2009.
Emma Hutchison, the founder of HorseBack UK, said: “Without their belief and support, both financially and otherwise, HorseBack UK would not be where it is today.”