EVENTS
EV ENTS T O M M Y R A C E S T O V I C T O R Y T O S U P P O R T V E T E R A N S ’ M E N TA L H E A LT H
OVER 500 TOMMY CLUB HEROES TAKE ON VIRTUAL RACE TO VICTORY
April 2021: ‘Team Tommy’ ran and cycled more than 800 miles, from Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company in Glasgow, arriving at Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company in Kent on VE Day. En route, the team stopped at cities and key military locations, presenting specially-made VE Day Tommy figures made by injured veterans, to notable members of the local military community. The team, which included RBLI’s Chief Executive, Steve Sherry CMG OBE, also carried a specially-made silver Tommy soldier figure, as a sign of national unity in the run up to the anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. Tommy’s Race to Victory challenge was borne out of last year’s muted celebrations of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, as well as recent research conducted by RBLI revealing the impact the pandemic had had on military veterans. 14
The study found that 1 in 10 veterans feel that their mental health has been significantly impacted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 30% of those polled identified social isolation and loneliness as the biggest factor contributing to their declining mental health, whilst nearly a third (27.5%) of veterans also said their alcohol consumption increased at this time. Former Head of the British Army, Lord Dannatt, who is also President of RBLI’s Tommy Club, feels that the nation must make every effort to make up for last year’s lost celebrations, whilst also recognising the challenges the veteran community have faced over the past year.
TOM M Y C LU B NEWS I AUTUMN 2021
Lord Dannatt said:
The Race to Victory is a fantastic way to showcase our great nation’s community spirit that was so powerful in 1945, and continues to be today. And all the while raising vital funds for RBLI, who for more than 100 years have provided a home to military veterans and the crucial employment opportunities they need to lead fulfilling, independent lives.
YOU RAISED
£49.2K We challenged you to go the distance for Tommy Club... AND YOU DID! 561 members of Team Tommy ran, walked, wheeled and even rowed. Together you covered an incredible 16,000 kilometres — more than 15 times the length of the UK! On behalf of our Armed Forces Community, we would like to say a huge THANK YOU. Your incredible dedication to take care of veterans of all ages is just fantastic.
The whole Tommy family have been inspiring and supportive to each other and I have loved following everyone’s updates. I have really enjoyed this challenge and I am proud to take part and I will continue to support RBLI. Hopefully this is my first challenge of many! V is for Victory. JANE Race to Victory participant
WHY IT MATTERS With 2.4 millions veterans in the UK, the need for support is greater than ever. Since the pandemic started, RBLI has continued to provide crucial accommodation, employment, advice and financial support to people in great need. Every penny raised by #TeamTommy enables us to keep supporting veterans and military families in need.
TOM M Y CLU B N EWS I AUTUM N 2021
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