On Monday 4 November, soldiers from 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Thorney Island, joined Worthing Mayor, Cllr Hazel Thorpe to open the Garden of Remembrance at Worthing Town Hall.
The soldiers, along with representatives of local charity, Care for Veterans, local dignitaries, military associations and schools, attended the ceremony to launch Remembrance Week, which honours those members of the armed forces who have been killed in conflict since the First World War.
Following the ceremony, the soldiers returned to Care for Veterans to meet with the veterans the charity cares for, which has now become an annual tradition.
Care for Veterans’ Head of Fundraising, Elizabeth Baxter said:
“Remembrance Week is such an important time in order for us to remember those we have lost. We are very grateful to Sgt Brown and the 12 Regiment Royal Artillery for their ongoing support and for taking time to visit our veterans, who always love seeing the soldiers and sharing stories.”
On Sunday 10 November, eight of the residents from Care for Veterans will journey to London to participate in the ceremony at the Cenotaph, to pay their own respects to fallen comrades.
About Care for Veterans
Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 – the charity celebrates its centenary this year.
Care for Veterans is a registered charity, providing care and rehabilitation for physically disabled ex-Service personnel and their families. Our residents’ needs are complex and many have multiple disabilities. Many have an Acquired Brain Injury and some have neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. Others are paralysed or do not have use of their limbs and some are terminally ill. We support on average 140 residents a year.
We care for up to 60 residents at any one time.
Our residents are aged between 35 and 101.
Our residents represent the tri-services: Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Services at Care for Veterans include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, an active social and recreation department, rehabilitation kitchen, a chaplaincy service, counselling, IT facilities, a rehabilitation garden, sensory room, function room, and regular outings on our specially adapted coach.
With no regular government funding, Care for Veterans must raise over £1.9 million each year to maintain its nursing and rehabilitation services for ex-Servicemen and women.
