New Armed Forces Veterans’ Champion

The 55-year-old, who was born and lives in the town, will work alongside the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Brian Cowie, to help achieve the objectives of the Council’s Armed Forces Community Covenant to encourage support for the Armed Forces community across the borough.

Michael Gallagher

This will include providing the Armed Forces Champion with a first-hand perspective of the needs of veterans in Hartlepool and working with him to strengthen links with the Armed Forces community, supporting veterans alongside Armed Forces organisations in the town and raising public awareness of the issues affecting the Armed Forces community and the support available.

Michael joined the Army in 1984 aged 16 and served for 16 years with the Royal Engineers, including service in the Gulf War, tours of Belize, the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Germany – where he trained as a combat engineer – and two winter tours of Canada.

He served for several years with 516 Specialist Team Royal Engineers, providing specialist support to the UK Armed Forces on operations across the world.

He said: “I am very proud to have been appointed Armed Forces Veterans’ Champion and I look forward to helping veterans and highlighting the issues facing them, particularly post traumatic stress disorder and homelessness.”

Michael Gallagher can be contacted on 07545 134188 and email mick8723@hotmail.co.uk and Councillor Brian Cowie can be contacted on 07802 584285 and email brian.cowie@hartlepool.gov.uk.