The Garden Party at Buckingham Palace is the high point in our calendar and this year demand and interest in attending was greater than ever recorded. We believe this was due to our Patron attending, the increased awareness of the charity following a concerted effort to improve our social media presence and recognition of the significant value our events have on the beneficiaries. This high level of demand led us to increase the invitations to the Garden Party and some 2,500 attended on Thursday 7th June 2018.
The guests represented over 110 military organisations and charities, and 32 different military associated residential homes. 88% of the attendees were beneficiaries and their partners/carers and the vast majority had not attended a Royal event previously. Reaching new individuals, who will most benefit from what we offer, is a key area of focus for the trustees as is collaboration with the other military charities. The Not Forgotten places considerable effort and importance on complementing the work of others, not duplicating it, and we are hugely privileged to host the Garden Party on behalf of all Service charities and the whole service community.
