‘When the chips are down, human nature turns to nurture’
On 22 October 2025, the doors of the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel will open to one of the most inspiring evenings of the year: the Soldiering On Awards.
This year’s ceremony carries a very special tribute. With the support of Brigadier Karl Harris and his team, including Major Chantelle Miller, we will bring to life a unique celebration of nations through dance. This performance will honour the legacy of VE80, eighty years since Victory in Europe, and the extraordinary spirit of unity and allyship that defined that moment in history. Sincere thanks go to Mark Neil and his team at Landmarc for their support with this production.
VE80 is about more than looking back. It is about remembering the lessons of the past and carrying them forward. During the Blitz and the evacuations, people faced fear and loss on a daily basis, yet they also discovered moments of light: neighbours sharing what little they had, laughter in unexpected places, and songs echoing through shelters. When the chips were down, human nature turned to nurture.
That is the story we celebrate this October: a story of unity, kindness, and resilience. A story that reminds us that even in our most challenging times, we shine brightest when we come together. Something we should surely embrace in today’s world, where once again we are reminded that together, we are stronger.
As Dame Vera Lynn, a Soldiering On Awards winner herself, famously said:
“We can’t change the past but we can remember the important things: the sacrifices our loved ones made and the price of our freedom today.”
The Soldiering On Awards echo that timeless message. They provide a moment to pause, to reflect, and to honour the strength we find in one another. Collaboration, allyship, and solidarity are not just values of the past, they are principles for the present and foundations for the future.
Awards night itself promises to be unforgettable. Guests will be treated to a dazzling programme of world-class entertainment, including a powerful performance by the Army Multicultural Network, soprano Christina Johnston channelling the late, great Vera Lynn, international singing star Matt Goss performing his eponymous song for the charity Not Forgotten, and moving tributes celebrating the diversity and richness of the Armed Forces community and wider society.
Government leaders, charity partners, corporate supporters, and distinguished guests will come together under one roof, united in admiration for the remarkable finalists whose achievements will take centre stage. From acts of selflessness and service to groundbreaking entrepreneurship, from tireless commitment to innovative partnerships, this year’s finalists remind us that extraordinary things are possible when we stand together.
As we look forward to the Soldiering On Awards 2025, we invite you to share in this celebration of unity and achievement. It will be a night that honours the past, reflects the present, and looks to the future with hope and determination.
Learn more about the Awards at soldieringon.org
