News

Join RAF Warrant Officer for the last leg of his 1434 mile run

An RAF Warrant Officer, who has set himself the challenge of running 1434 miles in less than ten months, is inviting supporters to join him for the final leg of his journey in Llandudno, North Wales. The funds raised will be going to Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Gareth Prytherch, originally from Llandudno, set himself a New Year’s challenge of running 1434 miles to raise funds for and awareness of the national charity, which provides free lifelong support to vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

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Blind veteran from Lancashire takes on fastest zip line in the world to celebrate his 90th birthday

A blind veteran from Chorley, Lancashire has celebrated his 90th birthday by traveling down Zip World Velocity in Bethesda, North-West Wales, the fastest zip line in the world, and the longest in Europe.

Bob Hill raised money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, by flying down the world famous wire, on which he clocked 100mph.

Far from planning a quiet and low-key affair, Bob decided to opt for a more unconventional way of celebrating his birthday. It was when a friend suggested this particular activity to Bob that he knew he’d found what he was looking for.

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Canoeing Holidays In The French Alps

Thanks to funding from Help for Heroes, we were once again able to take two groups of injured servicemen on white water canoeing trips to the French Alps – perhaps the most exhilarating and beneficial activity in our entire programme of events.

These trips embody our motto ‘From Comradeship To Challenge’ and follow our unique formula of mixing injured serving men and women with veterans of different ages, services and campaigns.

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Passchendaele parade provides poignant reminder

Thousands of people from across the country descended on the town of Crieff today to watch a poignant parade and service to mark the 100-year commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele – a conflict that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Allied soldiers.

The national event, which launched the wider ‘Crieff Remembers’ fortnight and was supported by Armed Forces charity Legion Scotland, featured a parade through the town with more than 150 veterans and serving soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland taking part. There were also fundraisers from Poppyscotland on hand to raise money for the charity’s life-changing support to the Armed Forces community.

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Veterans’ Charity celebrates ‘topping out’ milestone of third Home

A new home caring for disabled veterans in High Wycombe reached an important construction milestone when the ‘topping out’ ceremony marked the building reaching its full height. The Royal Star & Garter Homes welcomed distinguished guests including The Rt Hon The Earl Howe, Minister of State for Defence, and Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Stephen Hillier, who led the ceremony.

Sir Stephen Hillier was met by the Charity’s Chairman, Major General Tim Tyler, and Chairman of Wycombe Council, Councillor Suzanne Brown. Sir Stephen was invited to carry out the traditional Saxon ritual of anointing a yew tree branch attached to the last roof beam with wine, oil, corn and salt symbolising wisdom, liberty, prosperity and hospitality. The beam was then hoisted into its final position.

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Hospital home helps aged veterans in the local community

Last year, The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (QAHH) which cares for physically disabled ex-Servicemen and women, was awarded a grant from the Aged Veterans Fund to provide free physiotherapy sessions to veterans aged over 65 living in the local area. For the first time, QAHH was able to open its doors to non-residents at weekends, to help those veterans who need physiotherapy to stay as mobile and active as possible. The sessions, provided free of charge by The Chancellor using LIBOR Funds, were held on Saturdays when the Physiotherapy department is usually closed, and over the last year has welcomed 68 veterans aged between 66 and 96 years old.

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Alpine Canoeing in the french Alps – 4 – 9th July & 9th – 14th July

Thanks to funding from Helps for Heroes, we were once again able to take two groups to the French Alps for the most exhilarating trip in our calendar of events – white water canoeing. Based in Vallouise these trips embrace the NFA ethos of “Comradeship to Challenge” and embody all that is great about the NFA; mixing veterans from the Falklands, Gulf War 91 and Northern Ireland with those from more recent conflicts, and bringing those suffering from PTSD, amputees and others with a variety of injuries – including some still serving but undergoing rehabilitation – together as a team.

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QAHH Summer Fayre raises over £5,500 for disabled veterans

On Saturday 8 July, The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (QAHH) opened its doors for its annual Summer Fayre. The event raised a total of £5,575 for the charity!

The Summer Fayre is held to raise money for the Worthing-based Hospital Home, which cares for disabled ex-Servicemen and women. QAHH strives to improve the mobility and independence of its residents through rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social and recreation activities.

Visitors browsed the various market and craft stalls, took part in tombolas and raffles, and were treated to performances by dance troupes and military band, The Band of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

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Defence Minister Visits OA London Office

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP, met OA staff and volunteers, while visiting several military charities in London on Thursday 6th July.

The Minister, who is responsible for Defence People and Veterans, spoke to Lee Holloway, OA Chief Executive Officer, and Nigel Hare, OA Head of Benevolence, about how we support transitioning and former officers, as well as their dependants. The Minister has a personal interest in the OA, having served as a Captain in the Royal Green Jackets.

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Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here