Veterans have spoken of their struggle after leaving the Armed Forces as a new fundraising initiative for a charity which supports them is launched.

The ‘Give A Little For Veterans’ campaign, which runs throughout the month of April, aims to raise cash that will go directly to supporting the vital work of Legion Scotland.

The charity, which is known at the Royal British Legion in other parts of the UK, is the largest ex-service membership organisation north of the border.

With nearly 165 branches, 65 clubs and more than 31,000 members, Legion Scotland provides essential wellbeing and befriending services for all veterans - whether they left service yesterday or 50 years ago.

John Thompson (73), a member of Legion Scotland for more than 40 years and president of the Livingston Branch, said: “When you serve in the Armed Forces it becomes your home, your life and your family. When you leave you lose all that. I’ve seen veterans literally transform after they’ve joined the branch; feelings of isolation and loneliness begin to lift because they’re surrounded by folk who understand them.”

Debbie Whittaker (50) added: “After I left the Royal Navy it took me a long time to find a place where I felt I belonged. When I moved to Edinburgh I met other Wrens who were members of Legion Scotland. They encouraged me to come to social events at their branch, and the people I meet there made me feel welcomed and understood.

“Their friendship spurred me to move to Livingston and now I feel as if I have found a place I can call home. There is no reason for any veteran to feel alone with Legion Scotland around.”

The charity, which has over 31,000 members, provides befriending and comradeship support, grants, and disablement pension appeals advice to veterans of all ages.

As the guardian of Remembrance in Scotland, it also organises many of the remembrance events that take place each year including the Remembrance Sunday event in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Sgt Mark White, 35, from Hamilton, who has raised thousands for the charity, said: “The work Legion Scotland do is fantastic and can make a huge difference to a veteran and their family’s life and it’s great to know that I’ve played even a small part in the work they do.”

Charlie Brown, the acting National Chairman of Legion Scotland said: “We hope everyone will get behind our ‘Give A Little For Veterans’ campaign. As a nation we are very good at remembering those who fell in conflicts but sometimes we forget those who survived, or are unaware of the difficulties some may face after leaving the Armed Forces.

“Some veterans struggle at different points in their lives and Legion Scotland is there to provide the support they need when they need it. It’s also important to recognise that many veterans are young people, something that is not always appreciated.”

The charity has asked people to donate £3 by texting ‘LSCO15 £3’ to 70070 or online at www.legionscotland.org.uk.