A local golf club in North Wales has raised over £3,000 for veterans’ charity Launchpad.
The Men’s and Ladies’ Captains from the Vale of Llangollen Golf Club nominated Launchpad and Alzheimer’s Society (North & Mid Wales) as the two beneficiary charities for their Captains Charity Day 2023, which was held last May.
Last week, both Captains presented a cheque to the charity, which provides accommodation and targeted support to UK Armed Forces’ veterans experiencing homelessness and unemployment.
A total of £6,046 was raised on the day which included an 18-hole golf competition, raffle and an auction. All money raised was split equally between the two charities.
Collecting the cheque on behalf of Launchpad was Gary Perriton, Business Development Manager North West who also lives in Llangollen. He said:
“We are very grateful for this donation which will contribute towards supporting homeless and unemployed veterans at Speke House in Liverpool. As a charity, we rely on personal and corporate donations to enable us to continue to deliver the service our veterans need to support them on their journey to move on and live independently.
“We have a great relationship with the Club and held our inaugural corporate golf day there last September and will be hosting it again this year. We appreciate the support from both club Captains, their members and all those who participated in the competition.”
Susan Wallace, Lady Captain (2023) at Vale of Llangollen Golf Club, said:
“Every year the Captains’ host a Charity Golf Day for their chosen charity(s). When Gary spoke to us about Launchpad and the service they provide to veterans who are struggling with the transition from the military to civilian life, we had no hesitation in supporting this wonderful charity. No veteran who has served their country and put themselves on the frontline should become homeless. We hope this donation will help towards the service they provide.”
Last year, Launchpad’s Speke House provided accommodation and support to 81 veterans. On average, over the last five years, 56% of veterans supported by Speke House have successfully moved on and 28% left in paid employment.
Speke House comprises 50 self-contained, one-bedroom flats for former serving personnel and their partners. Launchpad has three houses in the North of England in Liverpool, Newcastle and Durham providing accommodation for 101 homeless veterans – accepting veterans from all over the UK.
