FIVE years ago the city council made a decision which was to save hundreds of thousands of pounds of public cash.

But more importantly, it would also save the lives of war heroes who were struggling to cope with life in civvy street.

The increasing number of veterans who have endured the horrors of conflict overseas means more ex-Forces personnel are returning home with a range of problems.

These often include post traumatic stress and problems with alcohol and drug abuse which can lead to homelessness and further desperation.

Glasgow councillors decided to set up a one-stop shop where veterans could go for help with any and all of their problems.

Helping Heroes was established, making the city council the first in the UK to offer a comprehensive service for former Armed Forces personnel.

It recruited the help of Glasgow Housing Association, to find accommodation; Jobs and Business Glasgow, to help them into work; the Department of Work and Pensions, to ensure they have the benefits to which they were entitled, and the NHS, to allow them to get the care they need.

But a crucial element of the support on offer comes from former servicemen and women who understand only too well what what their former comrades have gone through.

Rangers Football Club recently joined the growing army of organisations anxious to help.

It is hosting an addictions workshop at Ibrox Stadium, which offers weekly self-improvement sessions, fitness training and coaching.

But Helping Heroes is not just there for the young men and women who have recently left the forces.

One elderly veteran who had hit hard times had been forced to sell his medals to get money for food.

Helping Heroes found him a place to stay.

Other veterans using the service stepped in to decorate it and find furniture and even got a replacement set of the pensioner's medals issued to him.

At times the city council merits the criticism aimed in its direction but it can also come up with schemes which can make a real and lasting difference to people.

Around 200,000 UK forces personnel have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, with around a quarter of them involved in active combat.

Some of them will be able to cope with what they have seen and done but others will not.

But, as one council insider said: "If they are a son or daughter of Glasgow they can return home and there is a group here which can work with them."

Senior army personnel travelling the country are quick to highlight the success of Helping Heroes.

Lets hope other authorities listen.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk