RAF hero Stuart Robinson has helped launch the RAF Benevolent Fund’s national fundraiser, the Great British Sunday Lunch. The former RAF Gunner suffered life-changing injuries in 2013 when his vehicle hit an IED in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of both his legs. He was joined at his home in Morecambe, Lancs, by the Midland Hotel’s head chef, Michael Wilson who helped him sharpen up his culinary skills and prepare a mouth-watering dish.
Read moreA man from Kent is preparing to take on the Southampton Marathon for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Martin Wilson, 38 and currently stationed in Germany, will be running the 26-mile course in a bomb suit, weighing 33kg.
Read moreA man from Darlington is training to compete in a 100k walk across the Yorkshire Dales for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Darren Hoare, 27, will be embarking on the challenge for the second time, having previously taken part last year in what was the challenge’s inaugural year.
Read moreIt was announced today (10/02) that military charity Blind Veterans UK will be sponsoring a special garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July.
The ‘It’s all about community garden’ has been designed by celebrated designers Andrew Fisher Tomlin & Dan Bowyer and it will be one of the largest show gardens at Hampton Court this year.
Read moreIt is now a month since I took over as the Chairman of Cobseo and I have spent the time visiting as many members of the Confederation as possible, including a visit north of the border hosted by Veterans Scotland. I am conscious that the membership stretches across the length and breadth of the country and that there is much more to see. The impressions that I have gained so far are no more than a snapshot. Nevertheless, the visits and conversations that I have had have been extremely stimulating and encouraging.
The Service Charities which make up the Cobseo membership are remarkably varied and diverse. Their objectives, structures, size, concerns and requirements are all different; some are small and very local, some are huge and national. However, the unifying purpose of this divergent group is a passion for the Armed Forces Community that they serve. In my contacts so far, whether in head offices, in London, or in the country, that passion has been striking and tangible.
Read moreA grant of £120,745 has been awarded to the University of Stirling, for a 24-month study to review existing evidence and develop new research to improve collaboration between public and third sector agencies to achieve better housing outcomes for ex-service personnel.
Previous research has identified that a significant issue for ex-Service personnel is access to housing and that they are thought to be over-represented in the homeless population.
Read moreThe Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (QAHH), on Boundary Road, Worthing, is organising a fabulous fashion show in April, to raise vital funds for their care and rehabilitation of disabled veterans.
The fashion show, on the evening of Thursday 6 April, will feature a range of fashions for all occasions and will start with fabulously glamorous evening and special occasion wear, courtesy of local dress boutique, Velvet Birdcage. There will also be outfits for work, leisure and day wear, including new, as-new, designer and vintage clothing, much of which has been kindly donated by QAHH supporters and will be for sale on the night, immediately after the Fashion Show, at sale prices.
Read moreIsolation and loneliness issues amongst London’s Nepalese veteran community are to be targeted thanks to a grant from The Royal British Legion.
The £43,000 grant to the Community Empowerment and Support Initiatives (CESI)-UK project will benefit approximately 200 ex-British Gurkhas over the age of 60.
This year-long community support project aims to provide a customised support programme to address isolation and loneliness issues as well as the health and wellbeing needs of Nepalese people in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Read moreA grant of £29,489 from The Royal British Legion to Wiltshire charity, Carer Support Wiltshire (CSW) will provide support for unpaid carers in the Armed Forces and veteran communities. The money will fund the charity, Armed Forces Family Support Project and will focus on the early identification and recognition of carers with military connections and help to access services, funding and training.
CSW support worker, Catherine Duncan has a specialist understanding of the issues surrounding forces families and will be drawing on her experience as a military wife to identify and support those who are caring for a loved one. A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a family member or friend who cannot manage without their support. They might look after someone with a physical disability, long term health condition, mental health issue or a problem with substance misuse.
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
