YOUR ENDURING COMMITMENT TO THE ARMY FAMILY HELPS CHANGE LIVES

YOUR ENDURING COMMITMENT TO THE ARMY FAMILY HELPS CHANGE LIVES

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SO MANY MEMBERS OF OUR ARMY FAMILY HAVE BENEFITED FROM YOUR SUPPORT

“Your donation helped

Now they’d like to say a few words.

As the national charity of the British Army, we work to uphold our promise to be here for soldiers, veterans and their immediate families, for life.

It’s thanks to supporters like you that we can do this.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought its own set of challenges, and we have been working hard to respond to the members of the Army family who have asked for our help. This ranges from providing support for those in financial difficulty through not being able to work; to paying for counselling sessions for veterans whose mental health has been further impacted by the effects of lockdown.

We go to great lengths to only fund those in genuine need.

Here are some examples.

We are anticipating an increase in demand for our help over the coming weeks and months as the furlough scheme comes to an end and more people face redundancies and financial hardship. So, any support you can give today will be appreciated more than ever. You only have to read the following messages to see just how much it means to members of the Army family.

towards the installation of a shower/wet room for my wife after her stroke.

My family and I cannot thank you enough.

”

“Thank you very much for kindly granting me financial help.

It has been much appreciated during the coronavirus lockdown in France.

”

“As a family, we seriously

cannot thank you enough for your help. We are going through a tough time and your support has given us one less thing to worry about.

”

This support is on top of all the usual assistance we provide throughout the year to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families in times of need. © MOD 45164392

Thank you from Sally Campbell, Grants Officer, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Sally has been a Grants Officer at ABF The Soldiers' Charity for 16 years – making grants for the Army family in times of need.

“Without the generous support of people like you, we would not be able to help those in need. No one is immune to life’s unexpected challenges and pitfalls, and we are able to support all soldiers, veterans and their families when it matters the most. Thank you for making this possible. We appreciate every donation, large or small – it makes all the difference.”

“May I send my sincere

thanks for the grant towards the cost of a new boiler.

I cannot tell you how much, at 86 years old, I appreciate this kindness.

”

“Thank you very

much for the grants towards my house.

I’m forever grateful.

Image credit: Steve Jones

”

THANK YOU FROM MARTYN AND KIM GIBBONS, ARMY VETERAN & NURSE

Kim Gibbons left her job to care for her husband Martyn after he was injured in Afghanistan while serving in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

In 2009, Martyn was hit by mortar fired by a recoilless rifle when his unit came under attack in Sangin. Despite sustaining serious injuries to both legs, he refused to leave his troops until he had briefed his second-in-command. He was subsequently awarded an MBE for his gallant and distinguished service.

While Martyn was recovering at home, specialists trained Kim to administer his medication. One of the doctors from the local surgery recognised her abilities and encouraged her to become a nurse. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity was able to support Kim to study nursing at the University of Central Lancashire.

She is now a qualified Staff Nurse for East Lancashire Trust.

Kim went on to work as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse – caring for coronavirus patients at the height of the pandemic. “I usually care for

patients with cancers of the prostate, bladder and skin. But when coronavirus hit, I was redeployed to the ICU almost overnight. We were working on the frontline, helping patients on ventilators and blood filtration machines. I found it very challenging.

Kim says, “I love being a nurse. I imagine it's a bit like the Army. You know you're in this together, and you support one another because you care about the patients. I'd like to say a big thank you to the charity supporters.” Kim has gone on to work as an intensive care nurse during the pandemic.

THANK YOU FROM JOSEPH CONNOR, WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN Joseph served with the 15th (Scottish) Reconnaissance Regiment during the Battle of Normandy in World War Two. Now in his nineties, Joseph suffers from limited mobility and was struggling to navigate the steps between his front door and the street, which became treacherous in winter.

We funded a new tarmac driveway so that Joseph could park his car and mobility scooter directly outside his house. This has helped Joseph maintain his independence and stay connected to his local community.

“You’re never proud to admit you’re a soldier in need. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity was there for me when I needed it most. I think it is wonderful how people will so easily open their purses to support the Army family.

Thank you.”

THANK YOU FROM JEAN AND CARL TURNER, FAMILY OF A ROYAL ARTILLERY VETERAN

THANK YOU FROM LT COL BARNEY BARNBROOK, ARMY RESERVES Among the 3,000 Army reservists in the Covid Support Force is our North East Regional Director, Barney Barnbrook.

Barney is an ex-regular, now also serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves. He has been working in support of one of the local emergency planning units, helping to coordinate the supply of PPE and the deployment of mobile testing units.

“Your support helps all of the Army family including Army reservists, many of whom have been deployed across the country to provide crucial support to mobile testing units, local government and the NHS in the fight against coronavirus. Thank you so much.”

THANK YOU FROM JIM DUFFY, SOLDIERS’ CHARITY STAFF MEMBER

Jean is the wife of a Royal Artillery veteran.

In 2000, she suffered an aneurysm and two strokes while undergoing surgery which left her partially paralysed. She is now unable to speak and relies on full-time carers. Our charity awarded Jean's family a grant to restore her day chair. It had worn down and needed new arms, arm-rests and a cushion to keep her safe and comfortable. Her son Carl says:

“On behalf of Mum, Dad and myself, we cannot thank you enough for your generosity. If it wasn’t for your kind donation, we would still be waiting for Mum’s day chair to be repaired.

Our family thanks all supporters of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.”

Jim normally works in our North East office supporting our regional events. As most events were cancelled due to lockdown, Jim decided to support his local community by delivering essential protective clothing to caregivers. The clothing was sewn by volunteers from the Colburn community group and given to GP surgeries, care homes, The James Cook Major Trauma Unit in Middlesbrough and The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.

“The continuing support you provide to our charity by making a regular donation is essential in ensuring we can provide grants, big and small, wherever they are needed. So, from all our staff and beneficiaries, thank you for your donation.”

THANK YOU FROM CHARLES LOUIS, ARMY VETERAN Charles served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps from 1961 to 1973. Following the loss of his home in Dominica to Hurricane Maria in 2017, he was evacuated back to the UK and ended up sleeping on his daughter's sofa in east London. This was difficult as she had two young children and just a twobedroomed flat. Eventually, Charles contacted Stoll who worked with housing associations to secure him sheltered accommodation. Our charity awarded Charles a grant for flat furnishings – turning his new house into a home.

THANK YOU FROM MARK HARDING, ARMY VETERAN AND CHARITY AMBASSADOR

In 2010, while out on a routine patrol in Afghanistan, Mark was shot by a Taliban sniper. He was severely injured. Our charity has supported Mark several times over the years; first providing funds for home adaptations and a specialist wheelchair to help him live independently. We then helped him take up kayaking by awarding a grant for specialist kayaking equipment, so he could train at home and outdoors.

“ I cannot thank the supporters of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity enough for helping me with household goods. It gives me reassurance just knowing that supporters are out there to give money for those in need at all times. ”

“I set myself a challenge at the start of the pandemic to virtually paddle across the Atlantic Ocean. I took on the event to say thank you to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the NHS for their help over the years, and in recognition of their work during the pandemic. I'm so grateful to everyone who has donated or sent me messages and pictures.”

THANK YOU FROM BEN, ARMY VETERAN Ben served with the Royal Anglian Regiment from 2000-2008, completing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. He left the Army in 2008 with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Ben is still coping with the psychological impact of his military service and recently requested help purchasing a laptop to enable him to interact with his peers in PTSD support groups during the pandemic. We were able to do just that and this is what he has to say to you.

“I would just like to say thank you so much for helping to fund my new laptop which will let me interact with other veterans online in groups for PTSD, access support and participate in wellbeing activities. Thank for your kindness."

GOING THE EXTRA MILE DURING THE PANDEMIC Thank you for these special fundraising efforts

One young boy organised a very special VE Day cake sale.

His Mum wrote in to tell us his story:

Dear ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Our son, Samual, is obsessed with the Army and the history of World War One and World War Two. He asked if he could do something on VE Day to celebrate and also help injured service personnel. With options being very limited due to the current pandemic, we said he could have a cake stall at the end of the drive and sell them to any of our neighbours that walked by. He then researched recipes and found three he really wanted to make: orange biscuits, jam tarts and cheese scones. I sent out a message on the local Facebook group, encouraging people to come by and support him. Samual decided he also wanted to give some money to the NHS to help them as well.

On the morning of the 8th May, VE Day, we decorated the house with flags, and then we set to making the chosen recipes. He also made fairy cakes in red, white and blue, a chocolate cake and some flapjacks. After marking the two minutes’ silence with Dad (retired) and brother James (cadet), he set up the table ready to serve.

Please find enclosed the money he raised. He raised £80 in total for your charity and £80 for the NHS – that’s £160 in total from just one fundraiser!

Many of our supporters, young and old, have done extraordinary things during the coronavirus lockdown to make sure ABF The Soldiers' Charity can continue supporting the Army family when it needs help the most. We’ve had people running indoor marathons, creating their own

VE Day museums, holding cake sales and even performing 26,000 press-ups!

We thought we’d share two particularly heart-warming fundraising letters we have received over the last couple of months.

One Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) veteran saved two months worth of her pension because she couldn’t leave the house during lockdown:

Dear Sir, Please find enclosed a cheque for £1,200. After 10 weeks of lockdown, I have obviously not been meeting up with my ex-WRAC pals and spending money.

So, I thought that I would send you two months' worth of my state pension as I’m sure you can make great use of it.

Yours, Mary, ex-WRAC

“With so much uncertainty and the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, we need your support more than ever. Thank you for any donation you can give today.”

Colonel (Ret’d) Barney Haugh CBE, Director of Grants and Welfare

© Crown copyright 2013

PLEASE SALUTE THE ARMY FAMILY BY CONTINUING YOUR SUPPORT TODAY Complete and return the donation form Call 020 7901 8912

Visit soldierscharity.org/salute

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and Scotland (039189) and registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609). Registered Office: Mountbarrow House, 12 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9RB.