A VETERAN found living in squalor by police has praised a Haslingden charity for turning his life around.

Graham Riley, a former Trooper in the British Royal Tank Regiment, became ill after living in a flat with a leaky roof that left his bedding covered in rainwater.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But the 44-year-old is now using art to tackle his mental and physical health issues after being given a helping hand by Veterans in Communities (VIC).

The accomplished artist previously painted a huge mural on the wall of Vincenzo’s Italian restaurant in Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth.

Now he has renewed his interest in the subject after visiting the VIC Centre in Bury Road, Haslingden.

Mr Riley said he lost his confidence after he left the forces and rarely left his flat because of poor mobility.

He said: “VIC is the only organisation to help me since I left the army. I was 18 when I went in and served for three years. Since I left I have had lots of different jobs but they were all very low paid.

“My new home is five times better than where I was. I now have central heating that works and I feel a lot better.”

Mr Riley now lives in supported accommodation and has made a host of new friends through VIC.

Outreach and community development worker, Suzanne Preston, said: “Graham was found by the police in a dire situation.

“In the last 12 months while we have been working with him he has been in various levels of crisis including homelessness and ill health.

“Graham has multiple health issues including mental health and various members of VIC have been involved in assisting him along with many different agencies.

“I have been his advocate and I have supported him through the quagmire of bureaucracy to enable him to achieve a stable and healthy lifestyle.”

Suzanne praised the support Mr Riley had received from Lancashire County Council’s Armed Forces and Veterans’ Champion, Cllr Darren Clifford.

She said: “Partnership working has worked tremendously, Not just veterans’ organisations but local organisations have worked together to improve his life. I am delighted that it has worked out for Graham.”