Congratulations to 92 year old Royal Navy veteran Cyril Banks, who received a best Magazine Heroes Award on Tuesday 17th October, in recognition of all his fundraising efforts for the military community! Cyril dedicates much of his time to supporting the Armed Forces community and is a long-standing friend of the Association.
Read moreAfter the successful implementation of our Aged Veteran Welfare Support Projects in Greater Manchester and Avon & Somerset last year, the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is delighted that this unique service is now also available to veterans in Herefordshire and Nottinghamshire.
DMWS has provided medical welfare support to the Armed Forces community for over 70. With the number of aged veterans continuously growing, there is an increased demand for our professional service to support this community when they are receiving medical treatment. In response, DMWS now leads the project that sees 10 organisations deliver health and wellbeing support and activities to veterans aged 65 and over, their families and carers in Herefordshire and Nottinghamshire.
Read moreThe OA opened its new office in York on Tuesday 15th August.
This will be the OA’s base for organising events and liaising with stakeholders in the North of England. The previous office was in Leeds, but has relocated because of the improved travel links and the fact that many formers officers live in and around York. The office will be based in the Innovation Centre next to the University of York, which reflects the OA’s commitment to develop new and cutting-edge ways of supporting officers.
Read moreAn 84 year-old blind veteran from East Sussex has taken part in a horse riding week organised by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Keith Mann, originally from Kent, attended the course school in Wrexham, near the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre in Llandudno, North Wales. He received a Rosette for having attended twice.
He says: “It was actually my second time doing it, my first experience being in early 2016. If anything, this time was better as I was challenged to do a bit more. I was able to try riding different types of horses, different breeds.
Read moreA blind veteran from Southampton who receives vital support from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, has visited the charity’s gold medal-winning show garden at the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
Keith Ott, 90 and from Hedge End, visited the garden as part of a special week of gardening activities for blind veterans with green fingers held at the Blind Veterans UK training and rehabilitation centre in Brighton.
Read moreA blind veteran from Berkhamsted who receives vital support from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, has visited the charity’s gold medal-winning show garden at the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this July.
Stanley Grace, 88 and from Northchurch, visited the garden as part of a special week of gardening activities for blind veterans with green fingers held at the Blind Veterans UK training and rehabilitation centre in Brighton.
Read moreA blind veteran from Norwich who receives vital support from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, visited the charity’s show garden at the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show last week.
Chris Humphrey, 65 and from Thorpe End, volunteered as an ambassador for Blind Veterans UK and encouraged anyone who could receive support from the charity to get in touch.
After joining the Royal Navy in 1967, Chris was first employed as a Junior Radio Operator on HMS Raleigh. He says: “I completed my initial training on HMS Raleigh, before completing my Branch Training on HMS Mercury.
Read moreA blind veteran from Liverpool who has received vital support from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, will be contributing to the charity’s show garden at the prestigious RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this July.
Roy Sinton, 92 and from Formby, will be supplying the fuchsias to the garden through Sintons’ Nurseries, the company he founded. He’ll also be making a miniature gardens for the flower show as part of a special week of gardening activities for blind veterans with green fingers held at the Blind Veterans UK training and rehabilitation centre in Llandudno.
Read moreBarry Furness, of Fareham, Hampshire, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours awards in recognition of his work for the Royal Air Forces Association –the charity that provides welfare support to the RAF family.
Nick Bunting, Secretary General of the Association said, “Since 1974, Barry has worked ceaselessly to promote the aims of the Royal Air Forces Association and in doing so has reached a huge variety of people. His remarkable drive, infectious enthusiasm and strong leadership, in posts from the bottom to the top of the Association, have inspired those he has reached and greatly strengthened support for the Association, locally and nationally and abroad.”
Read moreA blind veteran who battled a brain tumour and two bouts of meningitis is set to tackle a third 100km ultra-challenge walk for the military charity who supports him.
Darren Blanks, 30, and a father-of-two from Egremont, hopes to walk from London to Brighton in 15 hours this weekend for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
He jokes: “I completed the 100k London to Brighton in 25 hours in 2014, but I blame sitting in the pub for too long. I want to get a faster time this year and reckon I can do the 100k in under 15 hours.”
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
