News

5 October 2017

Change Step Wales

Expedition, fundraising, Sport, Veterans, Welfare

Brecon couple’s 2,300km bike ride smashes target to raise £7,000 for veterans in Wales

A BRECON COUPLE who cycled 2,300km through France and Spain to raise funds for veterans support service Change Step say they are already planning their next long-distance bike ride.

Jonathan and Amanda Barnett raised almost £7,000 for the project, which provides effective peer mentoring and practical help for former members of the Armed Forces — including assistance with mental health, substance misuse and other issues.

The couple pedalled from Cherbourg in the north of France to Gibraltar, at the southern tip of Spain, inside four weeks, covering up to 150km at a time and rattling through France without a rest day.

5 October 2017

Blind Veterans UK

Disability Support, fundraising, Health, Sport

Blind veteran from East Sussex to climb Mount Kilimanjaro

A blind veteran from East Sussex is currently training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Mark Threadgold, 49 and from Saltdean, has long aspired to climb the mountain, which, at 5,895m, is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. He says: “I’ve wanted to do it for years now. I don’t know exactly why, but it’s just always been an ambition of mine. For whatever reason, this year just made the most sense, so here we are!”

2 October 2017

Turn to Starboard

Challenge, fundraising, Sport, Veterans, Welfare

Veterans celebrate end of gruelling 8-week round-Britain sailing expedition

A tall ship emerged from the mist into Falmouth Harbour on Sunday (Oct 1) as a crew of injured veterans marked an emotional conclusion to a gruelling round-Britain sailing expedition.

Seventeen military veterans celebrated the completion of the Turn to Starboard Round Britain Challenge – a 2000-nautical-mile voyage by finishing at Port Pendennis. Hardy participants had endured ferocious weather conditions – including menacing waves and wild gusts of up to 40 knots – in what organisers described as being ‘a challenge like no other’.

The return of the 92-foot long tall ship to Falmouth, where the challenge began on August 5, signaled the end of an epic marathon that has taken them to 15 ports across 3 countries.

21 September 2017

Help for Heroes, Ministry of Defence, The Royal British Legion

Army, Disability Support, Event, Health, Mental Health, Navy, RAF, Royal Air Force, Royal Event, Royal Marines, Royal Navy, Sport, Veterans

UK team sets off to compete at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017

The team will join 16 other nations at the international event for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

A 90-strong team of wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel have departed from London Heathrow for Toronto, Canada to represent the UK in the third Invictus Games.

The eight-day sporting event will see 550 individuals from 17 nations compete across 12 sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball, swimming and a new sport for 2017, golf. The event will begin with an opening ceremony on 23 September at the Air Canada Centre, featuring Canadian singers Sarah McLachlan and Alessia Cara, and will finish with a closing ceremony on 30 September with performances from Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams.

19 September 2017

Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

Event, Health, RAF, Royal Air Force, Royal Event, Sport, Veterans, Welfare

Former Airman from Swansea heading to Canada to represent United Kingdom

Former Senior Aircraftsman Matt Neve has been selected to represent the United Kingdom in the archery event at the Invictus Games in Toronto.

Matt, who lives in Swansea, will join 90 other wounded, injured and sick UK military personnel and veterans as they compete in the third Invictus Games competition, following the inaugural event in London in 2014.

Matt, now 32, joined the Royal Air Force as a driver in 2001 at just 16-years-old.

19 September 2017

Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

Event, Health, RAF, Royal Air Force, Royal Event, Sport, Veterans, Welfare

Fife amputee set for Invictus Games

An RAF Regiment veteran, who will take part in this year’s Invictus Games, has spoken out about how sport helped turn his life around when an accident left him with life-changing injuries.

Michael Mellon, of Cardenden, was just 17 when he joined the RAF in 1997 following his father, sister and brother into military service.

In 2001, while playing in a RAF Rugby match, Mike fractured his tibia and fibula bones which resulted in compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a painful and potentially serious condition caused by bleeding or swelling within an enclosed bundle of muscles – known as a muscle “compartment”.

18 September 2017

Blind Veterans UK

Disability Support, fundraising, Sport, Veterans, volunteer, Welfare

Saltdean writer and poet competes in Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge for military charity he volunteers for

A writer and poet from Saltdean has competed 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, for whom he is a volunteer.

David Attree, 44 and a long time cycling enthusiast, grew up in Brighton near the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre, and has therefore been aware of the work the charity does for a long time. He says: “Since my early childhood I’ve been fully aware of the wonderful work Blind Veterans UK does in providing opportunities for blind veterans to regain their confidence and lead fulfilling lives.”

18 September 2017

SSAFA

Ambassador, Celebrity, Charities, Sport, Veterans, Welfare

Joanna Lumley OBE accepts role as SSAFA Ambassador

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has awarded Joanna Lumley the role of Honorary Ambassador, for her work with its Gurkha beneficiaries.

Speaking about the appointment of the actress and charity campaigner, Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Gregory, chief executive SSAFA said:

“Joanna’s commitment and unswerving support for the Gurkha community is an inspiration to us all and something that we felt should be formally recognised. Joanna has done so much to support our Berkshire branch and in particular its literacy programme for Gurkha wives and widows; we are delighted to announce her as a SSAFA Ambassador.”

18 September 2017

Blind Veterans UK

Disability Support, fundraising, Sport, Veterans, Welfare

Magazine editor from Surrey completes 24-hour cycle on Brands Hatch Circuit for military charity

A magazine editor from Surrey has completed Revolve 24, the Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge, for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Chris Bennett, 54 and from Bookham, admits the terrain of the course took him by surprise. He explains: “The race itself was much hillier than I thought, which just made the entire event tougher than I expected.

“The track isn’t lit up at all so you had to depend on your bike lights, which meant that in the small hours of the morning, just when the tiredness was kicking in, you had to really, really concentrate!”

18 September 2017

Blind Veterans UK

Disability Support, fundraising, Sport, Veterans, Welfare

Magazine editor from Surrey to compete in 24-hour Brands Hatch Cycle Challenge for military charity

A magazine editor from Surrey is 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.

Chris Bennett, 54 and from Bookham, has been a supporter of Blind Veterans UK for a number of years now, through the partnership that his magazine, Optician, has with the charity. He explains: “Optician works with eye care professionals on the high street and in hospitals.

“We’ve been with Blind Veterans UK for a while now. The work they do in providing practical assistance to those in need and looking to adjust to sight loss is essential and it’s a cause we’re proud to support.”

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