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