News

‘Colour Chaos’ participants race to save bedtime for Forces Children

On 20 August more than 200 runners took part in the first ‘Colour Chaos’ run ever to be organised on an active RAF station. The unique family challenge, which was raising vital funds for the RAF Association, was held at RAF Wittering on the Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire border.

The race took place entirely within the RAF station, and participants – who could choose to run, jog, dance or walk – were plastered in powder paint as they complete each kilometre of the circuit. Course highlights included passing the wood where Harriers used to take off and land, a Harrier and military vehicles parked along the route, and a turn round the compass swing (where aircraft compasses are calibrated).

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Round Britain charity crew reach key milestone

A team of injured veterans on a round-Britain sailing expedition has reached the halfway mark in a grueling 2,000-mile sailing expedition around the British Isles.

Seventeen crew members – many with little or no sailing experience – set sail from Falmouth in Cornwall on August 5 on the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge 2017.

The intrepid crew are circumnavigating the British Isles in a clockwise direction on board a tall ship, to help participants gain new skills and highlight the challenges veterans can face after leaving the military.

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Veterans’ Health & Wellbeing in Scotland – Are We Getting it Right?

Here is an excerpt from the Executive summary of a short ‘think piece’ by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner on key health issues for the veterans community. No recommendations contained but early conclusions on key issues:
The vast majority of veterans in Scotland are in relatively good health and lead happy and productive lives.
On those occasions when they need access to health or social care services, they rarely report obvious disadvantage when compared to the non-veterans population and are content with the support they receive.

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Legion Care Home in Somerset given top award for dementia care

DEMENTIA care at a Legion-run home in Somerset has been branded “exceptional” by industry leaders.

Dunkirk Memorial House in Taunton was independently audited in the spring by Dementia Care Matters using the ‘Butterfly’ model featured on Channel 4’s Dementiaville.

The results have now been announced, with the home’s specialist dementia care wing, Dunkirk Mews, not only receiving its ‘Butterfly Homes 2017’ status, but also being classed as a ‘Level 1’ site in recognition of its “exceptional person-centred dementia care”.

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New Forces in Mind Trust Award: Galahad Substance Misuse Solutions Limited to study impact of compulsory drug discharge on soldiers’ transition

Forces in Mind Trust has awarded a grant of £175,800 to Galahad SMS Ltd (Galahad), to conduct a study exploring the experiences of those who have been discharged from the British Army for drug use.

This is the first piece of research that looks specifically at the effect that a discharge, due to a failed drug test, has on the Service leaver and on their family. The 18-month study will address the current lack of data relating to ex-Service personnel’s misuse of drugs and the impact on all areas of transition.

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Servicemen from Hampshire to compete in Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge for military charity

A Royal Air Force Police (RAFP) Sergeant and Royal Military Police (RMP) Staff Sergeant based in Hampshire are currently training to compete in Revolve 24, the Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge, for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Sgt Andy Gray, 38 and originally from Bradford, will be taking on the challenge with friend and fellow serviceman, SSgt Mark Hardy, 39 and originally from Bangor. Andy says: “Mark mentioned it to me and I thought, ‘sure, why not?’

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Salvation through sailing: Steven Price Brown’s Riddle of the Waves

Steven Price Brown first became known to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in 2015, through a meeting with inspirational charity Turn to Starboard. Turn to Starboard is a registered charity based in Falmouth Marina in Cornwall, using sail training to support Armed Forces personnel affected by military operations. At the time of our first meeting, Steven was preparing to embark on the Charity’s inaugural Round Britain Challenge alongside a crew of fellow veterans, all of whom had been through unimaginably traumatic experiences while serving their country.

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TV adaptation of Robert Galbraith’s novel ‘Strike – The Cuckoo’s Calling’ launches on BBC1

Last Sunday, 27th August, marks the airing of the debut episode in the Cormoran Strike series with “The Cuckoo’s Calling”, at 9pm on BBC1. The adaptation of Robert Galbraith’s 2013 novel has created a buzz of anticipation with the viewings expected to be sky-high.

One of ABF The Soliders’ Charity’s beneficiaries, Barney Gillespie, acted as a consultant on the show for the lead role, Cormoran Strike, played by actor Tom Burke. Burke, who was a judge for The Soldiers’ Charity Photo competition this year, plays Afghanistan veteran turned Private Investigator who is exploring a botched murder.

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By @Cobseo 56 years ago

Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here