Seven military charities are to benefit from money raised by the BFBS Big Salute.
BFBS staff and audiences around the world participate in fundraising events, to raise money for a range of armed forces charities every year.
BFBS welcomes online applications for project-based grants up to the value of £10,000 per charity, which can make a huge difference to the lives of those in need in the forces community, from service children to veterans.
Previous grants have helped charities like Broughton House – Veteran Care Village buy a bandstand, and Defence Medical Welfare Service provide one year of welfare support to 175 armed forces community members across Nottinghamshire.
Nicky Ness, Director of Broadcasting & Entertainment, BFBS, says:
“BFBS is delighted to be able to support these very worthy organisations. It’s wonderful to see such an array of projects and the different ways each charity is planning to spend the money to support our military community.”
Following last year’s application process, the Big Salute committee has awarded grants to:
Hounds for Heroes
Hounds for Heroes provide specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women of the UK Armed Forces. The Big Salute grant will fund their Partnerships Aftercare Programme for three dogs and three beneficiaries for up to one year.
Care for Veterans
Care for Veterans is a charity that provides nursing care and rehabilitation to physically disabled ex-Service personnel of all ages. A Big Salute grant will help meet the cost of converting one twin room to form two single rooms, thereby improving capacity, privacy for residents and increasing fee income.
Supporting Wounded Veterans
Each year Supporting Wounded Veterans provides seven days “sporthabilitation” to a carefully selected group of up to 30 physically and mentally injured military personnel which enables them to regain their confidence and embark up a new path to fitness and wellbeing. The Big Salute grant will fund a week of sporthabilitation for two veterans.
Sporting Force
Sporting Force is a sports charity dedicated to supporting ex-service personnel. This money from the Big Salute will help meet the cost of providing a hoist for the resistance pool and exercise unit in their gym.
Waterloo Uncovered
The money will go towards supporting a two-week archaeological excavation of the Waterloo battlefield. Veterans work alongside professional archaeologists to learn new skills while uncovering the secrets of this pivotal battle. Individualised and professional wellbeing support is provided throughout the programme and it is a truly life-changing experience.
Felix Fund
Felix Fund aims to assist with the well-being of individuals within the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Search Community across all British military. The Big Salute grant will enhance its Dashboard training and support a newly developed, bi-annual Mindfulness Course for spouses and partners of serving personnel and veterans.
Erskine
Erskine is Scotland’s largest veteran charity. The money provided by the Big Salute will go towards funding pottery and artistic materials to produce items for ‘The Veterans Workshop’ that can be offered in return for a donation.
Be a part of the Big Salute
Each year the BFBS Big Salute committee meets to discuss the applications for the coming year. They consider all applications on merit, impact and measurable outcomes and make the awards accordingly.
Applications will be open to armed forces charities to apply for the next round of grants from April 2023.
