A FALKLANDS war hero is supporting an initiative to create special gifts of thanks for fellow veterans.

Steve Butterworth, from Holcombe Brook, served as a catering accountant and medic in the Royal Navy between 1976 and 1983 - primarily patching up wounded Welsh Guards from Sir Galahad.

In 2020, Rachel Simons - who lived on the island during the war - started a Facebook group called 'Scarves for Falklands Veterans and the Fallen', gifting bespoke scarves to those she credits with liberating her from an invasion in 1982.

Lancashire Telegraph: LIBERATED: Rachel Simons was living in the Falklands during the warLIBERATED: Rachel Simons was living in the Falklands during the war

Mr Butterworth said: "I found out about the group through a friend who served. Maria, my wife, has now made 14 scarves that have been given away to veterans through the page.

“I also make pens on a lathe and I used cut up pieces of wool in the colours of the South Atlantic Medal, added resin and then built up the layers to make a pen.

Lancashire Telegraph: CRAFT: The pen made by Mr ButterworthCRAFT: The pen made by Mr Butterworth

"One of the pens I made sold for £155, which was donated to the South Atlantic Medal Association '92."

The group now has 4,000 members with around 100 people making scarves, hats and woollen items which once completed, are offered out to veterans for free.

Miss Simons said: "What a joy it was when the liberators arrived and came into Stanley.

"There was cheering and excitement and that feeling of joy and gratitude really has never left me.

Lancashire Telegraph: GONK: One of the creative items made and giftedGONK: One of the creative items made and gifted

"So, in 2017 I made my first scarf and I gave it to a Royal Marine friend. Now more than 1,500 have been made.

"The veterans do not just receive a scarf, they receive recognition of what they did.

"They receive the thanks they didn’t get at the time. It is recognition of what they did and permission to be a veteran."