News

Unique sculpture depicting WW1 arrives at Kelvingrove Museum

A stunning, symbolic sculpture depicting the last remaining tree in a First World War battlefield is set to go on display at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to coincide with the launch of the commemorations of the Battle of Arras which began 100 years ago this week.

The sculpture, entitled “FRANCE 1914”, was created by artist Simon Burns-Cox who donated it to Poppyscotland, an organisation which provides life-changing support for the Armed Forces community. Having previously been on display at the Scottish Parliament and the People’s Palace Museum, it will be exhibited at Kelvingrove for the coming 12 months, before moving to Glasgow’s Riverside Museum next year. Thereafter, it will be auctioned off with the funds going to Poppyscotland.

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A new online research resource on veterans’ health has just been launched

The Health of Veterans’ Research Team (HVRT) at King Edward VII’s (KEVII) Hospital is a new research group established to conduct literature reviews on veterans’ health. The HVRT has just launched their website which will act as an online research resource on veterans’ health by providing literature reviews, exclusive data, as well as news updates. Their website acts as a portal for sourcing information on the health of veterans, and also details more about the team and their current and future research projects. You can access it on https://hvrt-mac-veteranshealth.org/.

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Blind veteran from Stowmarket to take on fastest zip line in the world for military charity

It was in 2012, following a car accident, that the doctors found a brain tumour behind Steven’s eye during an MRI scan. Following its removal, Steven would lose part of his sight. Unfortunately for Steven, a second tumour developed, again behind his eyes, with Steven losing yet more of his eye sight. He says: “I can currently see about three inches in front of my face, with no peripheral vision.”

While Steven, who joined the army at 16 as a Junior Leader, received plenty of advice on how best to cope with his sight loss, he maintains that it wasn’t until he got involved with Blind Veterans UK that he began receiving the practical support he felt necessary to lead an independent life again.

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The Forces in Mind Trust takes its sector briefing programme to the South of England

The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) held two South of England briefing events, the first in Portsmouth on Thursday 30th and the second in Andover on Friday 31st March, which were attended by over 55 people in total. Attendees came from a wide range of sectors including the Armed Forces Community and the Armed Forces charity sector as well as other key stakeholders and interested parties who work to support ex-Service personnel, and their families.

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Emmerdale star joins blind veterans to train for 100km ultra challenge

One of the stars of Emmerdale has joined several blind veterans as they trained for the 100k Yorkshire challenge, a 24-hour walk organised by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Jonathan Wrather, 48 and currently starring as Pierce Harris in the long running soap-opera, joined blind veterans Roan Webb, Mike Johnson and Steve Thomas as they trained for the ultra-challenge in the Yorkshire Dales. A former Cadet in the Combined Cadet Forces, Jonathan has long been an admirer of the charity and is looking forward to taking on the mammoth challenge, which he’ll be competing in as part of a relay team with fellow Emmerdale actors, Chris Chitell and Liam Fox.

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Forces Friends project recognised with FiMT sponsored national award

Forces Friends, a project providing support to older military veterans, has been awarded the Working Together Award, sponsored by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), at the Soldiering On national awards ceremony on Friday evening (24 March 2017) in London.

The annual Soldiering On Awards provide national recognition for exceptional individuals and organisations working within the Armed Forces Community, and is run by the Soldiering On Through Life Trust. The Working Together award, which recognises an organisation that has demonstrated a commitment to collaboration with the Armed Forces Community, is sponsored for the second time by FiMT

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Mission Motorsport – 5th Anniversary

In 2017, Mission Motorsport is celebrating its 5th Anniversary. The Forces’ Motorsport Charity was launched at Thruxton Motor Circuit in 2012 in order to help those affected by military operations by engagement through sport. Since its inception, the charity has seen impressive growth, and has delivered over 3000 training days of sport for over 850 beneficiaries, leading to over 200 placements, and nearly 90 jobs.

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Shell Shock – the play

Shell Shock is presented by Smokescreen Productions and supported by the Sussex Armed Forces Network, Anglia Ruskin University, Help For Heroes, Combat Stress and PTSD Resolution.

In the autumn of 2016 the Chancellor awarded this project a grant from the LIBOR fund to enable us to develop the production and embark on a number of venues in late spring / early summer 2017.

Shell Shock is one soldier’s story of coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. After serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Tommy Atkins’ observations on life on civvy street are poignant, frequently comic and always moving. His over-emotional responses to post office queues, a trip to Ikea, his relationships and family lead to alienation and anger.

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Countdown To The Marathon Des Sables

With just seven days to go before she flies to Morocco on April 7th to take part in the gruelling 270 kilometre Marathon des Sables, NFA Head of Events Rosie Thompson is putting the final touches to her pre-race preparations.

We are delighted to announce that her fundraising total – all of which will be used to help provide events and activities for injured service men and women – now stands at more than £20,000. Rosie has been overwhelmed with the support and interest she has received and would like to wish all those undertaking the event for other service charities the best of luck.

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Blindness no issue for golf-playing veteran

A blind veteran from Knott End-On-Sea has been able to reignite his passion for golf thanks to Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Myke Worthington, 55 and originally from Cheshire, was an avid player before his sight began to deteriorate and had all but resigned himself to the possibility that he’d never play again. He says: “I started receiving support from the charity in 2014 and if I’m honest, I didn’t think that playing golf would be something I’d be able to do again. I’ve got Retinitis Pigmentosa and wet macular degeneration and as a result I’m blind in my left eye with only half vision in my right. I’m also colour blind which meant the snooker career had to be put on hold too!”

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Afghanistan support

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