Isaacs backs drive to save veterans' centre

ACTOR Jason Isaacs has given his support to the Evening News-backed campaign to save the Mark Wright Project.

The Harry Potter star said the charity's work to help troubled servicemen and women should get official backing and become a blueprint for veteran's services around the country.

His comments come as Midlothian MSP Rhona Brankin pledged to ask the Scottish Government to help the charity, set up by Bob and Jem Wright in memory of their son, who died in Afghanistan in 2006.

Mr Isaacs is currently living in the New Town while filming for the BBC. He first lent his support to the project in November, when he gave readings at a fundraising dinner.

He said: "It was an amazing evening. They're an amazing bunch of men, they're full of gung-ho spirit but on the other hand they're incredibly sensitive and open about how Mark had been, and how some of the people who were sitting with us had what Mark's friends call invisible scars."

The actor said he had become aware of problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder when he worked with troops on films such as Black Hawk Down and Green Zone.

He said: "People are not encouraged to talk about it and seek help for it, but the more brave men and women that come forward the better.

"One of the guys I was talking to had brought somebody in that day to the centre who hadn't left his house for weeks and weeks. Life-changing things are happening there."

Mr and Mrs Wright revealed in Tuesday's Evening News that they were considering selling their son's medals, including his posthumous George Cross, to help fund the centre in Dalkeith, and appealed for government financial help so they could continue to offer social, emotional and practical support to veterans.

Mr Isaacs said: "I think what Jem and Bob are doing is amazing. They deserve to get backing and what they're doing deserves to be happening all over the country.

"I know these are times of great austerity, but if we're sending people off to risk their lives on our behalf, they should be top of the list for resources when they come back."

Ms Brankin said: "I've been very impressed with the quality of support that's provided and the professionalism of the centre.

"It would be awful if it was forced to close due to lack of money."