Tag: 10th anniversary celebration

The Princess Royal attends Veterans’ Foundation 10th anniversary celebration

The Foundation funds organisations tackling some of the biggest challenges facing veterans today, including mental health, housing, isolation, employment and family wellbeing

HRH The Princess Royal attended the Veterans’ Foundation’s tenth anniversary celebrations as the charity marked a decade of supporting veterans, serving personnel and their families through hundreds of organisations across the United Kingdom.

The Princess Royal met veterans, including Veterans’ Foundation ambassadors Simon Weston CBE and Mark Ormrod MBE, alongside representatives from funded charities during the celebrations at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on 2 July, hearing directly about the difference those organisations are making to the lives of veterans and their families.

The celebrations reflected a decade of partnership between supporters, charities and communities working together to improve the lives of veterans and their families, while also looking ahead to the Foundation’s next chapter through the Armed Forces Pledge.

Since its launch in 2016, the Veterans’ Foundation has awarded almost £40 million in grants to more than 500 charitable organisations and 1,100 projects, delivering life-changing support across housing, mental health, education, employment, wellbeing and community services for veterans, serving personnel and their families across the UK.

Chair of Trustees for the Veterans’ Foundation, Andrew Anderson, said: “The event was about recognising the extraordinary people who make this work possible – our supporters, our partners, the charities we fund and, above all, the veterans and families at the heart of everything we do.

“It was a tremendous honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal as we marked this milestone together. Her longstanding commitment to the Armed Forces community reflects the values that have guided the Foundation over the past decade. What we have achieved in ten years is remarkable, but our ambition for the future is even greater.”

Veterans’ Foundation Chief Executive Jane Gurney said: “Looking around the room during the evening, you could see the strength of the community that stands behind our veterans – from grassroots charities and volunteers to business leaders, ambassadors and lifelong supporters.

Over the past ten years, more than 288,000 people have helped us stand beside the Armed Forces community. Their loyalty, generosity and belief in what we do have made everything possible.

That support has enabled us to fund hundreds of charities and more than 1,100 projects across the UK, delivering life-changing help to veterans and their families. Our grants give organisations the confidence and capacity to grow, strengthen their services and reach more people in need.”

Veterans’ Foundation ambassador Simon Weston CBE said: “It was a privilege to be part of this celebration and to see so many people united by a shared commitment to those who have served our country.

“The Veterans’ Foundation has spent ten years backing extraordinary organisations that stand beside veterans and their families every single day. That support changes lives, strengthens communities and reminds people that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The celebrations also looked ahead to the Foundation’s next chapter. During the evening, Chair Andrew Anderson announced an ambition to raise and distribute a further £160 million over the next decade, taking total lifetime funding to £200 million.

Guests supported fundraising activities throughout the evening, helping to ensure future investment in the charities and organisations delivering frontline support to veterans and their families.

As it enters its second decade, the Veterans’ Foundation is inviting people across the UK to sign the Armed Forces Pledge, adding their name and message of support for veterans, serving personnel and their families.

The anniversary programme also reflected on the Foundation’s journey to date, including footage of a commemorative projection onto the White Cliffs of Dover. Echoing a similar installation at the charity’s launch in 2016, the projection recognised service and sacrifice while highlighting the continuing challenges faced by the Armed Forces community.

PICTURES: The Veterans Foundation

Pokémon GO Fest 10th Anniversary Community Celebration in Edinburgh

In celebration of Pokémon GO’s 10th anniversary and Pokémon GO Fest 2026, Community Celebrations are being hosted for Trainers around the world. These open local events will take place during the weekend of the free Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global.

Each Community Celebration will feature onsite festivities, including a Pokémon GO pop-up event with interactive opportunities, photo opportunities to capture magical moments, fun activities with local Community Ambassadors, and exciting giveaways and prizes.

Taking place in 26 cities worldwide, these Community Celebrations will invite Trainers to engage with their local community and challenge themselves against Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y in Super Mega Raid Battles.

All events will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in their local time. Locations include:

North America

  • Atlanta, Georgia – July 11
  • Vancouver, Canada – July 11
  • San Francisco, California – July 12
  • Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas – July 12
  • New York City, New York – July 11 and July 12

Europe

  • Hamburg, Germany – July 11
  • Barcelona, Spain – July 11 
  • Bordeaux, France – July 11
  • Warsaw, Poland – July 11
  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom – July 12
  • Antwerp, Belgium – July 12

Latin America

  • São Paulo, Brazil – July 12
  • Santiago, Chile – July 12
  • Puebla, Mexico – July 12
  • Lima, Peru – July 12

Asia-Pacific

  • Tokyo, Japan – July 11
  • Miyagi, Japan – July 12
  • Seoul, Korea – July 11 and July 12
  • Taipei, Taiwan – July 11 and July 12
  • Jakarta, Indonesia – July 11 and July 12
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – July 11 and July 12
  • Bengaluru, India – July 11 and July 12 
  • New Delhi, India – July 11 and July 12 
  • Mumbai, India – July 11 and July 12
  • Bangkok, Thailand – July 11 and July 12
  • Melbourne, Australia – July 11 and July 12

Note: Specific venue details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Edinburgh Diwali’s 10th Anniversary

Edinburgh Diwali (SC047483), a registered Scottish charity, has been organising Edinburgh’s primary public Diwali celebration since 2015. This vibrant, multicultural event warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds and has become one of Edinburgh’s most popular community-led festivals, now a fixture in the city’s festive calendar.

The 2024 Diwali celebration, scheduled for Sunday, 3 November, marks Edinburgh Diwali’s 10th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, Edinburgh Diwali held a special reception in the Scottish Parliament’s Holyrood Room on 30 October, kindly sponsored by Foysol Choudhury MSP, who welcomed attendees.

Distinguished guests included First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar MSP, Minister for Equality Kaukab Stewart  MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Neil Bibby MSP, and the Indian Consul General in Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik.

The event brought together over 100 guests, including representatives from community organisations, councillors, and long-time supporters of Edinburgh Diwali.

Dancers from Ahalya Dance Academy and Dance Ihayami showcased traditional and fusion performances, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Mr Rajnish Singh, President of Edinburgh Diwali, extended a warm welcome and expressed gratitude to the sponsor, speakers, performers, attendees, photographers, decorators, and the Scottish Parliament events team on behalf of the Edinburgh Diwali Committee. Guests enjoyed an evening of light refreshments and celebration.

Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Hosting cultural events in the Scottish Parliament, at the heart of Scottish democracy, serves as a powerful reminder that: Culture Matters.”

“It matters to Our Communities—by celebrating religious freedoms and cultural expression, strengthening community bonds, and promoting cooperation and unity within our diverse society.”

“It matters for Cross-Cultural understanding—encouraging us to engage with each other’s faiths, cultural practices, and customs, helping combat prejudice and fostering a more tolerant society.”