A HAMPSHIRE charity is spearheading a campaign to help a former members of the SAS return to the UK and become a Chelsea Pensioner.

Father of four John Morris, 98, is stranded in Sydney, Australia - his home for the past 32 years - after falling on hard times.

Now the New Milton-based Pilgrim Bandits has embarked on a quest to raise the £10,000 needed to fund his flight home.

John joined the Royal Artillery in 1939 at the age of 17 and was an anti-aircraft gunner in The Blitz the following year.

After volunteering for Special Forces he was posted to the Raiding Support Regiment, a branch of the SAS, and took part in the campaign to liberate Italy and Yugoslavia.

He remained in uniform until 1946 before embarking on a career as a Territorial Army Reservist in post-war Britain.

The great grandad has already passed his first interview for a place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea - home of the Chelsea Pensioners.

The Pilgrim Bandits helps former members of the armed forces and the emergency services, many of whom are amputees or have post traumatic stress disorder.

Its motto, Always A Little Further, reflects its determination to push veterans beyond what they thought was possible.

Money raised to help John will cover flights, quarantine and temporary accommodation while he completes his application to join the Chelsea Pensioners.

The charity has arranged for a volunteer nurse to travel out and accompany him back to the UK.

Its chief executive, former SAS Warrant Officer Matt Hellyer, said: “John really needs our help.

“Becoming a Chelsea Pensioner would be a life-changing opportunity for him. He would be able to live a comfortable life surrounded by ex-military comrades.

"He has fallen on hard times, which could happen to any of us.

“The Pilgrim Bandits and John's regimental associations are leading the charge in his time of financial hardship."

More than 100 people have already donated to the campaign, which has so far raised £7,545.

To donate go online and visit http://bit.ly/BringJohnMorrisHome