Eyes Front Scottish Veterans Awards Special Supplement

Welcome to issue 003b of Eyes Front.

Keeping your eye on the ball for military events

Hello and welcome to this special supplement of Eyes Front magazine, produced for the 2024 Scottish Veterans Awards.

I am delighted to be officially involved as Executive Editor for the first time for the one and only Armed Forces events magazine available and at such a special occasion.

The Scottish Veterans Awards for 2024 arrived in the middle of the third and fourth edition of the publication and so it made sense to produce a limited edition “issue 3b” if you like and showcase our immense pride at being a media partner for what is now a highly regarded fixture in the military events calendar.

Thanks to Sean, Rhia and the team for having us here tonight.

It goes without saying, we wish all of the nominees the very best of luck and having heard all of the stories behind the nominations, it is safe to say, you are all winners on the evening.

It is also a busy period for the team at the National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Events team who produce Eyes Front and more on this later in the supplement. For now, sit back and relax, for what will be another super installment of positivity in the Veterans community.

Kind regards,

Mal Robinson

Executive Editor, Eyes Front magazine.

Eyes Front! Is produced by the National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Events Team.

Executive Editor - Mal Robinson

Publications Manager - Sam Rosenthal

Imagery - Ministry of Defence, Veterans Awards.

Issue 3b Distribution - The Scottish Veterans Awards.

Contact: hospitality@nafese2023.com

THE SCOTTISH VETERANS AWARDS 2024

A Successful Filming Day Takes Place

March 13th saw the production company Leek and Potato film the Scottish Veterans Awards’ amazing shortlisted finalists from within the iconic and historic Edinburgh Castle, the event sponsored by Gone Solar!

This was a FREE to attend day where all the finalists were invited to Edinburgh Castle to Network with other finalists, sponsors and supporters, receive their certificates and film their background stories to promote the amazing things they are doing.

The Veterans Awards are a not for profit organisation that promotes the positives from the veteran community and those organisations that support us. It’s been put together by veterans for veterans in what has become our home nations national awards with three separate award ceremonies taking place in England, Scotland and Wales and we also support the Northern Irish Awards.

Any money above and beyond costs is then distributed via a small grants scheme to smaller CIC’s and charities who work at grassroots level within the veterans community and have a turnover of under 100k per annum.

In the UK we have a huge number of highly successful armed forces veterans that have made the transition from the military to civilian life. We want to reward these veterans who have gone above and beyond and excelled in their relevant fields. They will act as role models for future service leavers. We want to find the people who even during the most difficult

periods have excelled.

It was a true honour for our team to meet our shortlisted Finalists for the Scottish Veterans Awards in support of the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Scotland. During the morning the shortlisted nominees were issued with their finalist certificates by our sponsors and Judges, Jack Dickinson (Hugh James) John Gillie (ABF The Soldiers’ Charity) Emma Davies (Joint Force Alba), Mark Laird (Lairds), Danny Gemmell and Martin Carmichael (Be-Inn Unity), Shelly Bamford (Strongmind), Dougie Morgan (Fighting with Pride), Claire Sally (Forces Employment Charity)

All our team can’t wait to hear about your inspiring journeys on the evening itself at the five star Prestonfield House.

Huge thanks to all the amazing team at Edinburgh Castle and The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Scotland for facilitating the filming and the fantastic production company Leek and Potato Productions.

Special thank you to Major General Alastair Bruce who is the Governor of Edinburgh Castle for coming down and saying some motivational words to our finalists and Mark McKenzie of BFBS Scotland for covering the day.

All our team are so excited to celebrate your success.

Remember it’s you who act as role models for future service leavers.

THE SCOTTISH VETERANS AWARDS 2024

The Finalists

The Veterans Awards are proud to announce our shortlisted finalists for this year’s Scottish Veterans Awards sponsored by Gone Solar. Hosted by Radio DJ BFBS Scotland presenter Mark McKenzie and in support of The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Scotland.

Well done to everyone who has been shortlisted as finalists. We had hundreds of applications and the shortlisting process was extremely difficult. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who put forward nominations.

We want to Inspire our future service leavers that great things can happen. It’s you who will act as role models and in some cases mentors, remember Positivity breeds Positivity.

THE FINALISTS ARE…

Role Model of the Year

Sponsored by Print Inc

• Rod Cavanagh

• John Campbell

• Charles Marshall

• Gregg Matthew

• Archie Dryburgh

• Stacy Quinn

Inspiration of the Year Award

Sponsored by Eyes Front Magazine

• W illiam Stoops

• Scott Meenagh

• Louise Worrall

• Joe Bola Sova

• Calum MacLeod

The Community Award Sponsored by Forces Employment Charity

• Karen Elliot

• Susan Bomphray

• Natalie Cutler

• Calum MacLeod

• Alan Deans

• Laura Simpson

• Neil Taylor

Charity Sector Employer of the Year

Sponsored by Prestonfield house

• Forth Valley College

• Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company

• Sight Scotland & Sight Scotland Veterans

• W ings for Warriors

Health & Well-being Award

Sponsored by Be-inn Unity

• Combat Jour nal

• High Life Highland

• Scottish Veterans Residences

• Veterans First Point Lothian

• The Veterans Garden Dumfries Operation Cairngorms CIC

Leader of the year

Sponsored by Strongmind Resiliency Training

• Steve Walsh

• Paul Korzeniewski

• Christopher Buet

• Michael Mcmillan

• Craig Mur ney

• Chris Shaw

Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored by Hugh James

• Gary Ferguson

• Mick Flaherty

• Gregg Matthew

• Andrew Patterson

• Jamie Kettyles

Employer of the Year

Sponsored by Joint Force Alba

• NHS Golden Jubilee

• Lothian Buses

• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

• Dumfries and Galloway Council

• Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS)

• Mott MacDonald

• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Veteran Owned Business of the Year Sponsored by Lairds AV

• W ilkins Chimney Sweep Lanarkshire

• Hold Fast Elite Ltd

• Baggage freedom

• Forces Manor

Volunteer of the Year

Sponsored by Serica Energy

• Laura Simpson

• Ian Inglis

• Maurice Kennedy

• Mark Harper

• Calum MacLeod

• John Paul Stothard

• Robert Conquer

Lifetime Achievement

Sponsored by Gone Solar

• Martin Bell

• Steve Erskine

• Chris Watson

• Tom Gray

• Archie Dryburgh

• Mick Flaherty

Reservist of the Year Award

Sponsored by Pathfinder Magazine

• Sandi Ber n

• Christian Jetuah

• John Kane

• Diane Davie

• Euan Smith

Veterans Group of the Year

Sponsored by The Army Benevolent Fund

• Royal Marines Association (East of Scotland)(Arbroath)

• Military Museum Scotland SCIO

• Royal marine riders association North

• Lothians Veterans Centre

• The Veterans Garden Dumfries

• Kilmar nock Branch of

Royal British Legion Scotland

• Gen Dit Network

Amadou smiles as he walks away from the hospital ship after free surgery to straighten his legs.

NAFESE EVENTS

What’s Coming Up?

In addition to the National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event for 2024 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, there are a number of exciting events from the NAFESE team also taking place. Here’s a look ahead to them all…

Written in the Stars Networking Luncheon, The Royal Air Force Club, Piccadilly, London, Tuesday May 7, 2024, 13001630

The launch of Eyes Front Issue Four and a chance to celebrate the Diamond Season of the RAF Red Arrows. Invitation only event, please enquire for more information to hospitality@nafese2023.com

2024 Services Cup Rugby Final, Infantry Training Centre (ITC) Catterick versus Houghton Barbarians, Houghton Rugby Club, Sunderland, Wednesday May 8, Kick Off 1900 Hours.

The first ever Services Cup match as part of the build up to the National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event 2024, sees the British Army’s finest pitch their wits against a select side featuring players from the Durham & Northumberland Leagues.

Entry is free to this event.

The National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event 2024 in association with Blind Veterans UK, Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Thursday May 16, 0930 - 1230.

The second event of its kind following on from last year’s success, sees the ethos of service celebrated under one roof from armed to emergency to volunteer. The event features an Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club with speakers from Blind Veterans UK, Veterans in Crisis and Walking with the Wounded, a recruitment and resettlement zone made up of over 40 exhibitors, a STEM Village for invited schools and colleges and more.

Search National Armed Forces & Emergency Services on Eventbrite to sign up, email hospitality@nafese2023.com for exhibitor and sponsorship information or scan the QR code on the back cover of this magazine.

A round up of other NAFESE event coming up… Forces into Franchising & Business, Lamex Stadium, Stevenage, Thursday June 27, 0930 - 1230

The 2024 Services Awards, Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Thursday July 4, 1930 onwards.

National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event Wales, Vindico Arena, Cardiff, Thursday September 26, 0930-1230

Services into Space & Defence, Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Andover, Hampshire, Thursday November 28, 09301230.

Please contact hospitality@nafese2023.com for further information on any of the events mentioned. www.nafese2023.com

THE Join one of our amazing challenge events this year and help raise vital funds to support brave Gurkha veterans and widows in Nepal Editor

GET ACTIVE FOR THE GWT!

THE GURKHA DOKO CHALLENGE

Doko North - Roundhay Park, Leeds - 9 June 2024

Doko South - Wimbledon Common - 16 June 2024

TRAILWALKER : 4 PEOPLE | 100KM | 30 HOURS

The South Downs - 27-29 September 2024

www.gwt.org.uk/events

Plus marathons, half marathons, mighty treks and much more...