More and more veterans living in Kent are turning to charity for help with rising energy and food bills as the impact of the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Sapper Stuart Hurst dedicated 17 years of his life serving Queen and country while based at Maidstone with the Royal Engineers.

He took part in various tours in Northern Ireland at the height of the period of sectarian violence and conflict, known as "the Troubles".

The former combat engineer, who now lives with wife Ruth on the Isle of Grain in Hoo, left in 1986 during a period of military cutbacks under Margaret Thatcher's government to take up a job working at Felixstowe Port in Suffolk.

Stuart, now 67, has been unemployed since 2007 following a tragic motorbike accident in Germany which left him with serious shoulder and arm injuries.

The ex-soldier has had various corrective surgeries and metal implants inserted on his left side but still struggles with mobility.

On top of a state pension, Stuart, who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from his military career, receives an army medical pension which pays about £140 a month.

He is also in receipt of personal independence payments (PIPs), a scheme in place to help people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities. The support can be up to £156.90 a week.

But Stuart says he is already feeling the pinch of a rise in utility bills, amid the impact of the cost of living crisis.

"We are already cutting back," the sapper said. "We are panicking more now because we realise we are going to be in a sad state in the Winter.

"Heating is the main worry because if it gets cold I freeze up and can't function because all the metal in me contracts."

Prior to his injuries, Stuart swam for England and enjoyed water polo which the army encouraged him to keep up.

But today his reduced mobility limits the amount of activity he can do and he relies on specialist equipment.

Stuart said: "I have got a stairlift but it is not with any help from the council.

"After about 18 months they said they would not be able to help me and that's when the Royal Engineers stepped in."

He says he is already reducing his useage of the device due to fears over rising electricity bills.

The ex-servicemen is far from alone with armed forces charity Help for Heroes warning it is having to support more veterans across the country with grants to help pay utility bills.

With interest rates continuing to rise more funds are being made available to support vulnerable veterans with immediate needs such as costly home adaptations.

“Without doubt, what we are currently seeing is just the tip of the iceberg," said the charity’s head of grants for the south east, Claire Barnes.

"Many of our veterans are feeling particularly vulnerable.

"The impact of the changes in the economic climate means they are facing cuts to their benefits, as well as needing more energy to meet their basic needs."

The cost of living is also having a lasting impact on mental health.

Ms Barnes added: “We are also witnessing an increase in anxiety from veterans and families about how they will make ends meet, in a way that doesn’t compromise their basic quality of life.

"Those with pre-existing mental health issues may well face more anxiety in just trying to live day to day.

"Our funds are not endless, but we must work with our veterans and families to do all we can to reduce the anxieties they are experiencing.”

Throughout Covid-19 lockdowns, the charity also met requests for emergency food baskets for veterans who were shielding, in poverty or unable to work.

Every Monday Stuart meets with fellow Royal Engineers at a breakfast club event hosted at various venues across the Medway Towns.

The group provides support and guidance to ex-sappers and a place where they can share their thoughts and open up about any struggles.

In regular attendance is fellow Medway man Clive Creer, who served in the armed forces between 1977 and 1994 and like Stuart was involved in campaigns in Northern Ireland.

"I joined the army at just 16 as a boy solider," the 61-year-old said. "Up until 2007 I had never claimed anything in state benefits so I was very naive of the benefits system.

"Rather than go down and sign on I was told I was not employable. As a result I was given a form and claimed for Employment and support allowance (ESA).

"It was quite a young age to be thrown on the scrap heap."

He added: "I was told by my GP and a couple of others I should be getting another benefit, I think it was the one before PIPs.

"When I asked about it they said you are getting a war pension so you don't get it and I took that as gospel. I just accepted that because I was so naive."

Clive says there has been little support provided from the State by way of integrating back into civilian life and accessing benefits.

"I have been unemployed since I was 46 and I'm now 61, and will be 62 in December," he added. "It was quite a young age to be thrown on the scrap heap."

Help for Heroes' average award in the first half of this year was £150, for food only. The average since then has been £380, which has included an allowance for energy, where there was a clear need.

In the last full financial year, 2020/21, the charity awarded £414,000 in grants to veterans and families in need.

These fund housing adaptations, adaptive equipment, and welfare support to help veterans facing challenges to live well.

Veterans or close relatives in urgent need of help with food and energy bills can get support from Help for Heroes here.

Several other charities are also providing this crisis support, including regimental or individual service benevolent funds.

The Department for Work and Pensions says it is supporting current and former armed forces personnel and their families as part of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The pledge focusses on helping veterans have the same access to public and commercial services and products as any other person.

A government spokesperson said:“We recognise people are struggling with rising prices which is why we are protecting millions of the most vulnerable families with at least £1,200 of direct payments, starting with the £326 cost of living payment, which has already been issued to more than seven million low income households, and including a £150 top-up payment for disabled people.

“Through our £37bn support package we are saving the typical employee over £330 a year through a tax cut, allowing people on Universal Credit to keep £1,000 more of what they earn, while all households will receive £400 energy payments. "Vulnerable families in England are also being supported by the Government’s Household Support Fund - which was boosted by £500million - to help pay for essentials."