Thank You for Changing People’s Lives
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Testimonials I think that this week has brought people together and allowed that osmosis of knowledge and experience sharing so people know that they aren’t alone.
In our effort to provide a global gold standard there are definitely insights to be gained from the first-class provision available to veterans in Israel.
David Wiseman
Minister for Defence People and Veterans
Conference participant
MP Leo Docherty
It’s taken me a while to digest all your kindness. I cannot thank you and everyone involved enough. I have hope again. I have found a new strength. You and the team made this happen. I have found my smile again. Thank you so much. Anthony Lock
Beit Halochem is a world leader and the UK and Israel teaming up will benefit our veterans immensely. I have returned reinvigorated and ready to continue my own rehab as have many others. Steve Richards The Royal Marines Charity
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When I arrived, I was a shell of the person I am now, I just hope I can take it forward. It’s down to the amazing support we’ve received and being part of a community again, like when we served. Amanda Small SSAFA
It was truly inspiring to meet other veterans and humbling to learn about their experiences. Everyone had different abilities – there were people in wheelchairs, those who were blind or had other disabilities. But there was a real sense of pride in what they were doing, and they all refused to give up.
These games, these amazing veterans’ games do just that. They restore the pride we once felt when we wore our military uniforms. That pride we once had, being part of a troop, a detachment, a Corps. They give us the opportunity to create new friendships; they give us understanding of what other veterans in other countries have experienced, and how they have been supported in their rehabilitation. They give us the chance to meet with each other’s families in a safe, friendly space to talk about the challenges we all face and how we can continue to support each other. And they give us wonderful, lifelong memories, from a beautiful country, rich in heritage and history.
Fraser Rowand
Caroline Beazley
Veterans Scotland
The Not Forgotten Association
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Dear Spencer, I would like to start by thanking you, the entire team and the sponsors for the outstanding work you do for veteran communities here in the UK and in Israel. I should have waited before emailing you to allow me to fully digest everything I have just seen, done and participated in during the Israel Games 2022. The truth is in a few days time it will be my thirteenth anniversary of the day my world crashed down and rather than things easing over time it seems to get harder. I was unfortunate enough to have been blown up twice in the space of six weeks in Afghanistan and unknowingly broke my neck in the first blast. Then, just a few weeks later I woke from a coma to be told that I had been blown up again but this time my life had changed forever. After suffering many serious life changing injuries I found myself isolated and cut off from the support and rehabilitation I should have received and found life incredibly discriminating and woeful. Instead I headed downhill on a Collison course with death. My mind and my body was Broken By War. For six years I was alone with just my wife and daughter to live for. The military had left me to rot and many of the big charities also. I found myself fighting to survive, clinging on for my family. I had attempted to end my life many times but could not find the strength to end it. I was saved by The Not Forgotten Charity in 2019. They invited a broken, lost and forgotten man into their charity. Before finding this charity I sadly had to share my story to be found. I wrote an extremely powerful book called Broken By War. The book inspired many people across the world to reach out for help including our younger generation. I proudly beat many to claim second at the English Veteran Awards for inspiration, not bad for a Welshman. A 15 year old boy became so inspired by my story went on to win ITV’s Good Morning Britain Young Loneliness Award. However it wasn’t the book or praise I was after it was help. That’s where The Not Forgotten Stepped in. Unaware of my book they were informed from someone who had read my book of me. Sadly I hadn’t heard of the charity before they made contact with me, but they did and they saved my life.
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I was invited along to the games at short notice as someone withdrew in April. I suffer badly with CPTSD and my nerves and anxiety are through the roof. Because I trusted The Not Forgotten this empowered me to push myself out of my comfort zone and make the trip. I wasn’t in shape due to the notice given but knew I had some fight still inside my broken body. On seeing the size of some of the athletes on the trip especially those stood either side of me in the swimming I was petrified but not defeated. Throughout the week I found so much strength, love and compassion from the staff, competitors and more so the Israeli people that I’m sat at home still smiling. I didn’t need to win a medal, instead I won a confidence battle and a found love for a veterans community I felt no part of before I made the trip. I return home with hope, hope that my newfound confidence will enable me to change my life. This is down to you and every member of staff from the events team right down to the bus drivers and the sponsors. You are all amazing human beings. One day if I ever have the chance to return, I would not hesitate. I will return stronger and a genuine medal contender, but Spencer you would have to make me a promise that my kit will be medium in size I would be honoured to send you a signed copy of my book Broken By War as a sincere thank you for everything you do. Yours sincerely Anthony Lock Broken By War
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Dear Phil, Jonathan and Andy, Straight back into work for me on return from Israel, to deliver an intensive course up here then a quick turnaround for a very big charity fundraising event in London. So my apologies for the lateness of this message but it has given me time to reflect with my daughter on some terrific memories of a fantastic event. The trip was by far one of the best experiences I have ever been on, especially as I was able to be with my youngest daughter Caitlin. At 11 years of age she was able to meet up with some of her Dad’s old friends and their families which was just brilliant, and get involved in so many family based activities. My youngest made so many friends and enjoyed every minute of the adventure. For the competitors, it allowed us to rekindle that camaraderie and athletic competitive spirit which is often lost after service, as we get older and due to circumstances and in many cases restricted by our careers, jobs and livelihoods. But we got the opportunity to throw our hats into the ring once more. The games were incredible and I was so proud to be apart of them with such likeminded veterans as well as so many people I knew and had served with within the Corps. Truly special and very inspirational. The hospitality shown to us was second to none and was always heart-warming and heart felt by everyone involved. A truly magical experience and something that will be remembered by myself and my daughter for the rest of our lives. After losing a lot of very close family members and friends, coupled with covid and then breaking up with my wife last year things personally have been a little strained. My relationship with my youngest has been at the forefront of my mind due to her age during all this. This week away gave us the ability as father and daughter to bond even closer. To share things, to talk, to enjoy adventurous activities, create happy memories, spend quality time together and make unique experiences which will last a life time for us. For that I am truly thankful to all of you, I really am. That to me was so very important and down to you, and the experience, knowledge, leadership, organisation skills, patience, heart and passion of all involved in the Israel Veterans Games 2022. We had the best trip a father and daughter could ever have. Thank you so much! Kind regards, Jason Hare Director of Courses
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Dear Spencer, Please accept my personal thanks and that of my fellow Royal Marines for all your extraordinary hard work and good humour. Your vision is delivering in spades. You and your team have changed lives and we are all the better for the experience. Beit Halochem is a world leader and the UK and Israel teaming up will benefit our veterans immensely. I have returned reinvigorated and ready to continue my own rehab as have many others. It was a pleasure to meet you and Karina, of course Andy Garland. We have known each other for over 30yrs, and the perfect man for the job, but you know that! Competing against the IDF and making new friends on the way was a very special moment in my life. I have agreed to stay in touch with many of the Israeli veterans I met and we swapped many stories of shared experiences. I also had the chance to bond with my daughter after too much time apart. Until we meet again, our utmost thanks from me, Steve Richards, my daughter Emma and the veterans of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Commandos.
Spencer, I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart for what this trip to Israel has done for myself and my family. The last few years have been so very difficult. My children & husband, Stuart have had to pick me up when I have fallen down whilst watching me struggle to complete even the simplest of tasks, they have held my hand as I have cried in pain day after day, even had to wash and dress me after I have been through surgery after surgery but they have always remained strong for me. They have never once complained. Throughout the Veteran games we have come to realise that we are not alone, we have been able to see that so many other people have similar struggles but everyday they continue to smile, proving that life is what you make it, life is fun. For myself, I’ve proven that I can still do things I didn’t even know I could, I have learnt that I am strong, with the support of family & friends around me I can achieve anything. Having been injured and discharged from the Royal Navy some 19 years ago which ended my career, prompting Stuart to leave to provide me with the care and support I now needed has made both myself and Stuart feel so far removed from the life we once knew as serving members of the Armed Forces, serving our country with pride and passion. We felt alone and isolated. The Games have given us both a renewed faith in a community that we were once a part of. Having the opportunity to share with our children the camaraderie, the team work and the fighting spirit the Armed Forces are renowned for has been so incredibly important to us and none of this would have been possible without you and your altruistic team, the sponsors, the charities and the other veterans who I am proud to now call my friends. The memories of the week and the immense amount of work and effort that went into making the trip so special will stay with us all forever. The close bonds that were made between us all will last a lifetime. It would be amazing to be able to stay in touch and who knows, maybe we will meet up again in the near future. Kind regards, Carra, Stuart, Sophie & Ben xx
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Andy, Congratulations and thank you for delivering the awesome Veteran Games 2022; your passion and dedication shone through, and I hope that you too had the opportunity to see the joy that the games and Israeli experience brought to the veterans, their partners, and their children. I often say that I have the best job in Medicine, in some cases I have been fortunate to work with the patient prior to injury, treat the patient on the battlefield, support them through their recovery and rehabilitation, see them transition out of Service and start a new life. It is humbling to see how successful they have been, to catch up with their wives and meet their children many of whom were babies when I last met them. To be able to recognise the family sacrifices and indeed courage is special I will always remember the pride from being ‘roped’ into playing water polo alongside both Lee’s and Frazer’s children. There is a bond that links all veterans irrespective if background, nationality, age or gender and the balance of competition and inclusivity was perfect for everyone to gain a ‘victory of their impairment’. The Conference was a perfect setting to try to develop and focus close working practices; many of my patient are part of the Advance Study (one of the presentations) and to be able to feedback their frustrations is crucial. Helen Helliwell and Leo Docherty MP both plan to visit later this year to follow up our discussions; it has been a great opportunity for Joe Winch in particular to present how some area of policy have unintended consequences and how it impacts on his recovery. The Israel Experience team surpassed themselves. Omri (IE Black Bus) engaged with the children, delivering the information professionally and exchanged great banter making the experience so much more powerful. The day in Jerusalem was particularly special for me and an experience that I will never forget. I will certainly be promoting Israel, the friendly atmosphere, the culture and history, the food and hospitality, and the beaches all speak for themselves, and I feel privileged to have been part of it. Thank you. I would be very grateful if you pass on my thanks to Spencer and Karina; as a team you were awesome. Alistair Roos Allsop
Hi Karina, Wanted to send you a heart felt thank you from my family and I for this week. It has been such an experience we will not forget!! Last night was emotional for personal reasons, seeing myself and what Shlomi and his team did made me cry. I’ve never sat and told my story as in depth as I did with them & to be told I’m an inspiration from them was such an honour. I did tell them last night but if you could jet them know again that would be appreciated!! Thank you for helping sort out our daughter after her accident, from bottom of our hearts, to you & all the staff. Special mentions to Nerya & Omri, both went above & beyond. Thank you again and sorry didn’t get to give you a hug good bye, but hopefully our paths cross again? If I could repay in anyway I would, and would love to/jump at the chance to help as an ambassador if that’s possible? Let me know if that is something I can do, and what you need from me. Thanks and thanks again, all our love the lauder family. Cheers Pete
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Dear Spencer, Andy and Karina, I just wanted to drop a line to congratulate you all on such a fantastic week and to say a huge thank you to each of you: Spencer – your vision for these games, generosity, sheer energy (and dance moves) will long stay with me! Andy – your organisation of the event, making it look so easy and remaining so calm – a true Royal. Karina – thank you so much for sorting out the conference and all that goes with that – particularly my last minute zoom intervention! The programme was superbly organised and incredibly rich; I think we all really enjoyed the mix of conference / sport / cultural programme and the opportunity to engage with colleagues, competitors and their families. The visits programme certainly gave the Games a unique perspective into the host country, and something I don’t think any other international Games does. I can only imagine the amount of organisation this took and the Israel experience team absolutely nailed it. The generosity of the sponsors too, in making this an experience that we will all remember for a long time to come. What was really valuable for me though, was just having that quality time with the veterans and their families, to really hear about their experience and what I can do from a Defence Policy perspective, to make it better – I’m actively pursing a few things with my team which I think will bring long lasting benefits to many. So a huge thank you again, and wishing you all the very best, Helen Helliwell Director- People-AFPPol
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Dear Spencer, Thank you for the bottom of our hearts for the incredible week that you hosted in Israel for the UK Veterans. The visit surpassed any expectations we held. The smiles and laughter are imprinted in my mind forever. We returned reinvigorated, inspired, hopeful and humbled. Not to mention the many new friends we have met. As Michael & I live in Northern Ireland and served here in the Army. We have always seen the comparisons between our people and country and Israelis and Israel. Caroline Beazley was injured on duty in Northern Ireland. We met by pure chance in London in 2019 and instantly became close friends. My greatest wish is to have Caroline visit our home and meet the decent humans who are grateful for the protection the military provided us in our hour of need, despite what the mainstream media report. Caroline and I share a passion in spreading hope to other wounded veterans all over the UK. I am travelling to Waterloo Battlefield in early July with a team from Anglia Ruskin University in conjunction with the Waterloo Uncovered charity to make a film about how archaeology helps veterans in their recovery. I have learnt so much from my time in Israel and will be using these lessons in the film production. We are certainly going to show the benefits of bringing veterans of other nations together and to see the gulf in the care provided by respective governments. Hopefully Mr Leo Docherty picked up a few ideas too. Once again THANK YOU to everyone involved in the Veterans Games 2022 and for letting us experience the wonderful Israel. Michael and Nicola Bassett
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The Conference was extremely useful, bringing together British SMEs who actually don’t meet in the UK, as well as giving them a chance to hear from the Israeli attendees. I learned much, and will be following up with a number of the participants back in the UK, as did Jane for her work with school pupils, an unexpected bonus. Dear Andy I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for organising and delivering the second Veteran Games and Conference, and for welcoming me to them with Jane. You will have seen the feedback on social media from those who attended, so will be under no illusion as to the life-changing impact they have made on the British veterans and families who attended. I’d go as far as saying (maybe having forgotten the feedback in 2019) that these Games made even more positive impact on the participants: once again, the principle of not having to qualify to compete was extremely significant and made a profound positive impact on those who were daunted by the prospect of sporting competition against the Israeli veterans, who were quickly put at ease and came away knowing they could indeed achieve, overcoming their own lack of self-confidence. There’s no doubt that those returning will face their daily challenges with a far more positive outlook and determination. Your organisation along with Spencer and Karina was as before simply superb, and you had clearly reflected carefully on lessons learned in 2019 to make the physical demands on the families less exhausting. The programme was still full on, but I don’t think anyone was overwhelmed, and nobody I have spoken to would have swapped a moment for more sleep or a another afternoon on the beach. Once again, the Games reunited those of the same cap badge who had fallen apart, and rekindled friendship which means they will care for each other more closely going forward. Once again new friendships were made with those of differing units which will be enduring. Once again, friendships were made with Israeli comrades which I hope will last. Once again the welcome provided by Beit Halochem was absolutely outstanding, and the warmth of that welcome each day by every staff member and Israeli veteran who visited the Tel Aviv Center was simply fantastic. For me personally, to meet veterans of the Yom Kippur, Lebanon and Gaza conflicts is a deep honour, and I will treasure that. The facilities at the Tel Aviv Center are simply magnificent, and for the likes of RM veteran Martin Kettrick to be able to enter the swimming pool and swim 50 metres for the first time in over 20 years was awesome. You remind us just what we need to aspire to in the main population centres of the UK.
The Games host team were just as wonderful as last time, perhaps even more so, achieving just the right measure of firmness in getting everyone where they were meant to be at the right time, along with getting to know the attendees and supporting them, and also acting as fantastic ambassadors for Israel. I must single out Lossi as a guide for his absolutely superb delivery and knowledge in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and for his humour. To get the Minister of Defence Personnel and Veterans along for such a significant period is indicative of the confidence the Games have built, and you should be very encouraged by that. The guided tour and explanation of the work of Zahal/Beit Halochem to the Conference attendees on the Wednesday morning was extremely enlightening and moving, and gave lots of ideas. Any British minister attending in future would benefit from this. I personally was able to meet with the Chair and CEO of the Maglan Foundation at the Center on the Tuesday morning and set up an enduring supportive relationship between us, a fantastic opportunity. This is great per se, but it was strange that they had never visited and that there seemed to be little co-operation between them and BH, maybe something to pass on. I certainly encouraged them to create these links. But let me finish by feeding back to you the comments I have received from wheelchair-bound attendee Martin Kettrick, which for me demonstrates just how much your trouble to ensure that all are included, demonstrating that no-one cannot be catered for: I know I caused many headaches in the lead up to the event with the uncertainty about my being prepared to take part, but thank God I did, because it truly was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. The whole trip was outstanding, both from an organisational point of view, and an experience for the veterans and their families. The experience of meeting and spending time exchanging experiences of our recovery process with other veterans and their families was extremely beneficial to all concerned and I have learned so much from the experience and formed new friendships. We really are still buzzing about the whole weeks experience, outstanding!! It was great to see you again, hoping we can catch up soon in England! Every good wish as ever Jonathan
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Social media 100 wounded vets and their families join forces in celebration of family and sport at The Veteran Games and Conference.
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Highlights...
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Day 1
The Opening Ceremony
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Day 2
Competition at Beit Halochem Centre
Day 2
Touring Tel Aviv
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Day 3
Competition at Beit Halochem Centre
Day 3
The Mental Health Conference
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Day 3
Visit to Jerusalem
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Day 4
Last Competition at Beit Halochem Centre
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Day 4
Visit to the British Military Centre in Ramla
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Day 4
Visiting the Dead Sea
Day 5
The Closing Ceremony
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In the news...
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/ people/former-royal-marine-fromgosport-with-severe-ptsd-heading-toisrael-to-compete-in-2022-veterangames-3682302
https://jerseyeveningpost.com/ news/2022/05/08/former-soldier-totravel-to-israel-for-veteran-games/
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/ news/20130603.blind-former-armysoldier-kelly-ganfield-compete-veterangames-israel/
https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/ news/20130603.blind-former-armysoldier-kelly-ganfield-compete-veterangames-israel/
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/ local-hubs/staffordshire/ cannock/2022/05/20/war-hero-totake-part-in-veteran-games/
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/ cornwall-news/former-raf-airman-stagnes-7097973
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/ wales-news/raf-hero-broke-neckparachute-24021021 https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/ wales-news/raf-hero-broke-neckparachute-24021021
https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/ woodbridge/former-army-policeveteran-to-compete-at-veterangames-9255672/
https://www.itv.com/news/ wales/2022-05-23/man-who-fell800ft-when-parachute-jump-wentwrong-lucky-to-be-alive
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https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/ news/plymouth-news/former-royalmarine-mark-ormrod-6912515 https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/ news/plymouth-news/former-soldierplymouth-compete-veteran-7060745
https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/ uk-veterans-travel-to-israel-for-veterangames/
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/ israel-to-host-the-2022-veteran-gamesand-conference/ https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/ veteran-games-2-launches/?fbclid=IwA R3NgoiRuqjUKZsPKjrzjERJBo9gHhDK8 2Tw-GHgZEBOO-2Hmo3Ou006qQo
https://www.cobseo.org.uk/ wounded-veterans-join-forces-tocompete-at-the-veteran-games-andconference-2022/
https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/ plymouth-resident-announced-asambassador-for-2022-veteran-games/ https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/ tower-of-london-beefeater-tocompete-in-the-2022-veteran-gamesand-conference/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/ p0bx8p90
https://www.bedfordindependent.co. uk/former-royal-marine-from-bedfordto-compete-in-veteran-games-in-israel/
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/ mandy-small-army-competitor-veterangames-and-conference-8990466
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A special thanks to our 2022 sponsors and supporters Sponsors
Supporters
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Beit Halochem UK and Veteran Games Chief Executive: Spencer Gelding
Veteran Games
Chief Operating Officer: Andrew Garland
Address
Suite 3, One Bridge Lane, London NW11 0EA
Beit Halochem UK
Tel: 020 8458 2455 Email: info@bhuk.org Web: www.bhuk.org Registered Charity No: 1146950
Veteran Games
Tel: 020 8458 2455 Email: andrew@veterangames.co.uk