A JOINT venture between a Knutsford landmine charity to help rehabilitate the survivors of the bloodiest of conflicts, will see the opening of a centre in Jordan this morning.

The Sir Bobby Charlton Centre for Support and Rehabilitation, opens in Amman, to help landmine blast survivors who have fled the civil war in Syria.

The charity, Find a Better Way, which is supported by the former Manchester United and England player, will care for refugees who have lost limbs from landmine blasts and children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from their horrific experiences with most from the Syrian conflict.

The centre is a joint venture between the charity and US based The Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, a non-profit organisation with years of experience helping people with disabilities and victims of conflict, and Asia Development Training (ADT), a Jordanian-based charity that provides rehabilitation to survivors of conflict.

Sir Bobby who celebrates his 80th birthday in October said: “The stories of landmine blast survivors in Jordan, especially those who are children, are incredibly moving.

“I'm thrilled that Find A Better Way is opening this centre and that it is the first of many planned to open around the world. But most of all I am extremely honoured that these centres will be named after me. It is a wonderful early 80th birthday present.”

The new centre will help provide programmes including physical therapy, child trauma, peer support and advance training in prosthetic/orthotic care and other mobility aids.

It is planned to locate additional centres around the world in countries struggling with the devastating effects of landmines and other explosive remnants of war including Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and rural Cambodia.

Lou McGrath, CEO of Find a Better Way said: “The Syrian refugee community in Jordan, especially those coping with a lost limb or severe injury from an explosive device, are in desperate need in an environment of strained resources.

“We are very pleased to be opening the first Sir Bobby Charlton Centre in Amman, and look forward to the day when it is one of many such centres around the world, helping landmine blast survivors and communities coping with the impact of explosive remnants of war.”