SAS bosses forced to ‘beg’ government for money to treat war heroes wounded in secret battles in Iraq and Afghanistan

SAS chiefs have had to beg millions from charity to patch up their wounded heroes, The Sun can reveal.

It has the emerged that the elite regiment has gone cap in hand for handout money to build a rehabilitation centre at its HQ in Hereford.

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And its Navy sister service the SBS has had to do the same at its home in Poole, after the two units saw dozens of frontline troopers injured in secret battles in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last 15 years.

The Sun has discovered the Special Forces units were awarded a total of £5.2million in the last year in grants from Libor fines on sinning bankers for the care wings.

The applications for grants came after the MoD refused to designate either as priorities, despite the devastating effect the high casualty rates were having.

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Our revelation sparked anger among MPs last night, who demanded to know why the government isn’t footing the bill to help the nation’s bravest troops.

We can also reveal the SAS and SBS have also had to make Libor money applications to open nurseries and family centres at their two HQs too.

Campaigning Army officer-turned-Tory MP Johnny Mercer said: “Units with the very high operational tempo of UK Special Forces should have their own integrated recovery systems paid for by the government, on whose behalf they operate.

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“There is a role for charities in veterans care, but it is taking on far too much of the burden at the moment, especially when it comes to addressing the needs of key personnel who are still serving.

“Libor funds are a great thing, but they are about to come to an end and it’s essential the state now picks up the burden.”

Labour said it was "appalled" by The Sun's revelations.

Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith added: “These are men who have put their lives on the line to defend our nation and their support should be guaranteed by the Ministry of Defence.

"It should not be left to compete with the many other demands on Libor funding.”

The SAS’s Clocktower Foundation won £3m for a rehabilitation centre at Sterling Lines, after competing with dozens of other charities for a handout from the Treasury’s pot of cash for good causes.

The Special Boat Service Association were given £2.2 million to build a recovery facility for serving as well as veteran SBS personnel.

The two special forces units has also been given a total of £2.9m between them in grants since 2015 to care for their long suffering families while troopers are away on dangerous tours of duty.

Of that, £1.9 million went towards new buildings for pre-school age children of SAS personnel in Hereford, and £1m helped build an SBS families centre in Poole.

Their money was quietly authorised in July by then Chancellor George Osborne in his last full day before being sacked by new PM Theresa May.

So far, more than £600m in fines levied on banks for financial scandal has been handed out to military and emergency service charities.

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Instead of ploughing the fines back into state coffers, Mr Osborne decided in 2012 to give them to Britain’s needy heroes instead.

But the pot is now almost empty.

An MOD spokesman said: “It is only right that military charities and organisations continue to be supported by the proceeds of Libor fines.

“This government has introduced a range of measures to improve the welfare of the armed forces family and the care of current and former personnel remains a priority for Defence with a wide range of funding available.”

A Treasury spokeswoman said: “We know this money makes a massive difference to many people across the UK, and it is fitting that LIBOR fines are used to support those who demonstrate the very best of values.”

The Treasury added: “Members of SAS can be deployed on long missions abroad and those with young children can be reassured they are being educated and cared for in a new dedicated environment”.