THE closure of a recovery centre for military personnel in Colchester is a devastating blow for the town, supporters have said.

Chavasse VC House, in Berechurch Road, will not be reopening “for the foreseeable future” as Help for Heroes’ wrestles with the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.

The move is part of a major restructure of the charity’s services across the country which could see 142 staff lose their jobs and two other recovery centres also being mothballed.

Chavasse VC House opened in 2012 to support wounded, injured and sick veterans in Colchester as well as from across East Anglia.

Sue Morgan, who along with Mike and Sue Jackson has raised more than £300,000 for Help for Heroes in Colchester, said: “I am absolutely devastated to hear the news. We have watched the centre grow right from when it was built.

“I think it is tragic for the town and we have worked so hard for the centre and have continued to do as much as we can.

“Although we can continue to work for the charity there will be no headquarters here for us which was a huge draw for our fundraising.

“It is so devastating for the staff who work there too.

“There is such a lovely bunch of people who work there and I am so sad for them.”

Colchester residents have done their bit to support Chavasse VC House over the years, including donating more than £110,000 to create a new garden at the centre following a Gazette campaign.

Terry Sutton, who is both a former Colchester mayor and ex-chairman of the town’s Royal British Legion, said a lot of people cared about the premises and would be upset by the decision.

He said: “It is a real shame for the Royal British Legion having supported the service as we have done over so many years.

“I suspect it will upset a lot of people in the area who have invested a lot of time and effort raising money for it.

“There are so many people who have run, cycled, cut their hair and the like for Chavasse VC House. You name it and fundraisers have done it.

“Colchester has a such a rich connection with the military and a lot of the servicemen and women who were treated at Chavasse VC House were posted in Colchester.

“It is a big blow to the community in the town which has supported the centre so much and raised so much money.

“It is quite drastic action from the charity. Their services are needed more than ever.

“It would nice if the Government can step in but there are so many charities who are struggling at the moment.

“But we have relied on our servicemen and women during the pandemic. They have done so much for the country so we should be asking if perhaps the Government must step in to support Help for Heroes.”

Colchester’s MP Will Quince said he has written to Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer to see whether the MoD can offer support.

He added: “I will also be making a donation to Help for Heroes and encourage others locally who can to do the same.”