Over 120 fundraisers and veteran volunteers were invited to attend the Combat Stress ‘Extra Mile’ awards at the Cavalry and Guards Club on Thursday 23 February.
Winners of the 2023 Combat Stress Extra Mile Awards. The Cavalry & Guards Club. London. 24th February 2023.
Picture by Zute Lightfoot on behalf of Combat Stress
The eleven awards recognise the individuals, teams and companies’ incredible achievements and innovative fundraising who have gone above and beyond expectations. From a professional gamer who not only ran a marathon on a treadmill while live streaming Warzone to veterans who bravely shared their experiences of living with PTSD, the winners demonstrated the creative, tenacious and determined spirit of our veterans, volunteers and fundraisers.
Giles Peel, Combat Stress Chairman commented:
“This event recognises the incredible support and dedication of our community of fundraisers. It means we can provide life-changing treatment to former service men and women whose lives have been impacted beyond measure as a result of service to their country. Last year almost 18,000 veterans benefited from our help – a number which truly demonstrates the continued need for our specialist services. No other charity does what we do, and we are so grateful for all that our fundraisers have done for us and the veterans who seek our help. “
Full details of the inspiring award winners are listed below:
Community Group of the Year 2022 – Team Bella
There are several people who volunteer with Barry, Petra and of course Bella the assistance dog. They are tireless in organising collections, stands at supermarkets, the Eastbourne Air Show and other events in their local area.
Volunteer of the Year 2022 – Peter Fraser-Hopewell
If he is not out on his bike or running at a fundraising event, he is representing Combat Stress community events throughout Essex.
Regional Fundraiser of the Year 2022 – Khumi Burton
Khumi is a long-term supporter of Combat Stress and has raised over £38k since 2009 through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including the annual sale of our Christmas cards.
Corporate Fundraising Group of the Year 2022 – AMS
AMS have raised over 10k through March in March and the GRIM challenge, a gruelling 4-mile mud run in December.
Innovative Fundraiser of the Year 2022 – Charley Halford
Running a marathon is always an impressive achievement, but doing so on a treadmill whilst playing Warzone and live streaming the action to your followers adds a new dimension!
Fundraising Event of the Year 2022 – The Ironbridge Gorge WWII Weekend
This living history event in Shropshire keeps WWII history alive whilst donating all profits to charity. Combat Stress received an incredible donation of £13,347.89 raised from the hard work, dedication, and passion of the all-volunteer committee led by founders Dave and Judith Adams.
Endurance Fundraiser of the Year 2022 – Colin Kirkwood
Despite the responsibilities and workload of being the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1St Battalion Scots Guards, Colin decided to complete a gruelling 600 miles in six months ending on the date for Trooping the Colour. Colin is now the Academy Sergeant Major at Sandhurst and is currently mid-way through another incredible endurance event for Combat Stress.
Veteran Volunteer of the Year 2022 – Thomas Stimpson MBE
RAF veteran Thomas came to Combat Stress for help in 2015 and found art and creativity during his treatment. Now an artist, Tom has supported our annual Secret Postcard Auction’s, generously donating pieces of his own original art work and appearing in a film about art therapy.
Veteran Advocate of the Year 2022 – Life as we know it veterans
Launched in November 2022, Life as we Know It: Living with PTSD is a new campaign from Combat Stress, featuring photographs and videos taken by Tom Skipp, aimed at raising awareness of the hidden triggers that we take for granted in everyday life that can affect veterans with PTSD. The five veterans shared their very personal stories and not only raised awareness and funds but encouraged one veteran to come forward and ask for help.
Fundraiser of the Year 2022 – Hayley Court
Founder of the Community Group and Forces Network, Healing Military Minds – Corporal Hayley Court continues to work tirelessly on a huge variety of different events, culminating in a hugely successful Ball which smashed her fundraising target well beyond £50k, and currently she is in the process of doing it all again for this year’s Ball.
Inspiration Award 2022 – Captain Preet Chandi
Captain Chandi is an inspiration to all charity fundraisers. A serving army officer, she set a new record for longest unaided solo expedition to Antarctica, pulling a 19st sledge in -30C covering 1,485km – in 70 days and 16 hours.
Lifetime Achievement Award 2022 – BAE Systems
BAE Systems and its amazing colleagues been supporting Combat Stress consecutively for over 20 years – but they’ve also raised an incredible £1m over this time.
If our Extra Mile Award winners have inspired you to fundraise, you’ll find loads of help and advice on our website. Visit combatstress.org.uk/support-us
