Military personnel receiving specialist inpatient psychiatric care at St George's Hospital are now able to enjoy a wide range of exercise equipment thanks to a generous donation from a local donor.

Staffordshire Freemasons made a donation to Brocton ward at St George's Hospital to support those serving in the Armed Forces currently receiving treatment.

The ward now has a sled pull, battle ropes, kettlebells, sandbag, wall balls and gym tyres, alongside a container to store the equipment.

Funding has also been used to buy tracksuits, other clothing and self-care bags containing toiletries for patients arriving without any personal items.

Reg Sargeant, Armed Forces Covenant Representative for the Province of Staffordshire Freemasons, secured the funding.

He himself is a veteran with 25 years of service with the Grenadier Guards.

Reg said: "As a veteran and a Freemason, supporting the mental health of our Armed Forces community is not just something I strongly believe in – it is a personal duty shaped by service, fraternity, and lived experience.

"Those who wear and have worn the uniform carry burdens that we often don't see and we know that many continue to fight their own silent battles long after their service ends.

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"Freemasonry encourages friendship, respect, and service to others; the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award affirms our commitment to stand beside those who have served, especially in their hour of need.

"Supporting military mental health is how we honour that promise. For me, this work is not charity – it is brotherhood, it is service."

He worked with Occupational Therapist Mandy Addison to source the equipment.

Mandy said: "We were really grateful to have received the funding from Staffordshire Freemasons, which has gone towards items that will make a positive difference to serving military personnel on the ward.

"Physical fitness is an important aspect of the Armed Forces, as well as its link to mental health and we were keen to provide the equipment on the ward by way of support."