The anniversary tribute celebrated service, sacrifice and the people, charities and communities committed to standing with veterans and their families.
The White Cliffs of Dover were illuminated with powerful images of veterans and Armed Forces personnel as the Veterans’ Foundation marked its tenth anniversary and launched a national call for people across the UK to stand with those who serve, those who have served, and the families who stand beside them.
The large-scale projection transformed one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks into a message of support for the Armed Forces community, recognising service and sacrifice while highlighting the challenges many veterans continue to face long after military life ends, including mental health, housing, employment and isolation.
The projection echoed a similar installation staged by the Veterans’ Foundation a decade ago, when images of soldiers were projected onto the White Cliffs to mark the beginning of the charity’s journey.
Ten years on, the Foundation has awarded almost £39 million to more than 500 charities and 1,100 projects, helping organisations deliver life-changing support to veterans, serving personnel and their families across the United Kingdom, including in Kent.
Returning to the White Cliffs was both a moment of reflection and a rallying call for the future, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that those who serve, those who have served, and the families who stand beside them can continue to access support wherever and whenever it is needed.
Mark Ormrod MBE, Veterans’ Foundation Ambassador and Invictus Games medallist, said:
“This moment is about far more than marking an anniversary. It is about recognising the people who serve, those who have served, and the families who stand beside them every single day.
“Seeing those stories reflected on the White Cliffs was incredibly powerful. The need for support has not gone away, and neither has our collective responsibility to stand behind the charities helping veterans rebuild their lives.”
Jane Gurney, Chief Executive, Veterans’ Foundation said:
“Ten years ago, we chose the White Cliffs of Dover to mark the beginning of the Veterans’ Foundation. As an enduring symbol of service, sacrifice and homecoming for our Armed Forces community, there could be no more fitting place to return as we celebrate our first decade and look ahead to the next.”
“Thanks to our lottery players, supporters and partners, we have awarded almost £39 million to more than 500 charities and 1,100 projects across the UK.
“That support is changing lives every day, and our commitment remains exactly the same: to stand beside those who serve, those who have served, and the families who support them. Our next chapter is about bringing even more people with us.”
