A Remembrance Concert, held in support of ALABARÉ’s Gloucester Home for Veterans, has raised more than £1,600 to help break the cycle of homelessness for former military personnel.
The event featured music from the award-winning Nailsworth Silver Band, the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir and soloist soprano Lori Weber, with Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and ALABARÉ Trustee, Major (Retd) Mickey Morrissey in attendance.
Charity ambassadors Amanda and Tony Raybone organised the event at Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton, on Friday, 23 October 2026.
The couple have been supporting the charity for over two decades and were instrumental in establishing the ALABARÉ Homes for Veterans service in Gloucester and the active local ambassadors’ group for the charity.
Where will the money go?
ALABARÉ has been supporting veterans with temporary accommodation in Gloucester since 2014 and currently operates the 7-bed Imjin House in the Longlevens area of the city.
The charity is shortly due to open a second property specifically for veterans experiencing homelessness, providing an additional four bedspaces.
The money raised at the Remembrance Concert will go directly into the operational costs of the existing Gloucester Home for Veterans and towards setting up the new house.
ALABARÉ’s service provides more than just shelter for former military personnel, with clients offered holistic, person-centred, trauma-informed support with financial budgeting, training and employment, access to healthcare and addiction services, if needed, and towards independent living.
The Gloucester Homes for Veterans are part of a wider network of support for former military personnel experiencing homelessness, collectively providing over 90 bedspaces across the South West and Wales.
Major (Retd) Mickey Morrissey DL said:
“It was a huge privilege to attend the Remembrance Concert Programme in aid of ALABARÉ.
“Many thanks must go to Amanda and Tony Raybone, who meticulously planned, organised and executed a magical evening of music. There was a stirring presentation on ALABARÉ from Ambassador Lt Col (Retd) Andrew Tabor, with the whole evening being a wonderful experience in the church, as Storm Austen brought a very wet and windy night outside!”
Nic Dunford, Principal Lead for Individual Giving, Legacies and Retail, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Raybones and the wider Gloucester Ambassadors Group for their ongoing support of ALABARÉ and our services to break the cycle of veterans’ homelessness.
“Demand for help from ALABARÉ’s Homes for Veterans is ever-increasing, with research suggesting around one in every 400 veterans are at risk of homelessness. This vital fundraising comes at an important time, as the new Gloucester property is just weeks away from opening.
“The evening was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by members of our Armed Forces, and the need to ensure that in return for their service, they are offered the support they need to successfully transition into civilian life.”
A fundraising page in support of the Remembrance Concert and ALABARÉ’s work remains open at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/gloucesterconcert?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL
