The Not Forgotten Association has made it to the voting stage of the Aviva Community Fund Awards. We are seeking funding for two boat trips – one on the Solent and one at Runnymede. Each campaign could see the Association awarded £5000 and would help charity to reach those who need help. The two trips combined will benefit a total of 200 veterans and their carers, by treating them all to a much-needed day out.
Read moreFalklands Veteran Bob Gallagher has raised an astonishing £600 in just 10 days in preparation for the NFA’s Falklands Trek Challenge. Bob Gallagher was diagnosed with PTSD in 1994 as a result of his service in the Falklands War. Bob served on-board HMS Argonaut, which set sail the day after his 21st birthday. The HMS Argonaut was stationed off Fanning Head at the entrance into San Carlos Bay, which left it open to daily air attacks. The ship sustained considerable damage, killing several members of the crew including Bob’s friends Iain Boldy and Matthew Stuart.
Read moreThis year’s final carp fishing trip to Woodlay, Cornwall, was a huge success. The latest trip saw 8 veterans from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army sharing stories from their experiences in the Falklands, Northern Ireland and the Middle East. With days spent fishing and evenings spent socialising, as one beneficiary said at the end of the weekend, “it really doesn’t matter if you don’t catch a fish, these weekends are all about the comradeship on the lake side and the social banter in the evenings.”
The three weekends we have spent in Cornwall have been hugely successful and much of this is due to the wonderful support we receive from Jon, who runs the complex, and his friend Martyn – both of whom are veterans themselves.
Read moreBeing an intern can help you gain vital work experience and industry insight.
Lisa Jones, an OA Career Consultant, recently ran a webinar with Charlie Perkins and Guy Amir from Goldman Sachs to discuss its Veterans’ Integration Programme. Lisa Jones served in the Army, and then worked in the City before joining the OA. Both Charlie and Guy served in the Army and then joined the Goldman Sachs Veterans’ Integration Programme. As a consequence of the internship they secured full time permanent roles at the multinational Investment Bank.
Read moreThe Royal British Legion (TRBL) launches its annual Poppy Appeal.
Today (Thursday 26th October 2017) thousands of volunteers will stand on street corners across the UK, asking the public to support the Poppy Appeal. People wear the paper poppies to remember all Service men and women killed in conflict. In 2016, the TRBL raised £146.9 million for the Armed Forces community. This year the TRBL is asking people to #RethinkRemembrance, and recognise the sacrifices made by the military family, past and present.
Read moreSydney Graham, an OA volunteer, recently attended a memorial service for the father he never met.
Edward Graham was killed during an ambush in Sicily on 13th August 1943. The Royal Irish Fusilier died aged 31, without knowing his wife had given birth to twin sons just 22 days before. Edward was initially posted as missing but was confirmed dead two years later. He was first buried at the roadside before being moved to an unnamed grave.
Read moreLast Friday Katie (Media Officer), and Vikki (Grants and Welfare Executive Officer), took part in one of Good Vibrations’ gamelan workshops to see how The Soldiers’ Charity grant was helping those who need assistance.
Good Vibrations is an award-winning national charity that uses communal music-making via the use of a gamelan to support people in challenging circumstances.
Read moreWe are delighted to announce that our Charity has received a significant grant of £286,000 from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which will continue to assist us in supporting soldiers, veterans and their immediate families, for life.
Following its 19th consecutive sell-out year, the Tattoo announced that it would be donating an impressive £1 million to UK-based charitable organisations, including the three service charities: ourselves, The RAF Benevolent Fund and The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
Read moreA veteran and Poppyscotland beneficiary was joined by primary school pupils at the old Forth crossing today to launch the 2017 Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Corporal Andrew McIntosh, 44, who served for 14 years with the 22nd Cheshire Regiment and saw service in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and The Gulf, is no stranger to doing his bit for the Armed Forces charity after he travelled from John O’Groats to Land’s End on his mobility scooter to raise £3,000.
Andy, from Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, was confined to a mobility scooter after being diagnosed with a very rare and serious vascular condition in 2009. Poppyscotland provided him with an electric-powered vehicle to give him more independence – and Andy was only too keen to show his gratitude.
Read moreJoin thousands of people determined to serve those who served us and do something different to make a difference!
Christmas is great if you have a home, a family, a job. It can be hard if you don’t.
YOU can help us treble the number of wounded ex-servicemen and women that we support back into society and give back their purpose, simply by going for a walk.
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
