The Duke of Kent unveiled the Veterans’ Garden in Guildhall Yard on 14 February to support The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch, which takes place at The Guildhall on Thursday 30 March. The garden launch was hosted by The Lord Mayor and The Lady Mayoress.
Since it was first held in 2008, the Lunch has raised over £2.85 million for the three national Service charities: ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and the RAF Benevolent Fund. The money raised from the 2023 Lunch will be used to help Armed Forces veterans find employment and new careers, primarily through King Edward VII’s Hospital’s Veterans’ Pain Management Programme and RBLI Lifeworks employment programmes.
This year’s garden, inspired by the theme of loss, unity and hope was designed by Gianna Utilini on behalf of The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, with the help of the Guild of Freemen, both of which support the Lunch each year and use the craft of gardening to provide therapeutic help to injured service personnel.
Commenting on the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch, The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nicholas Lyons, said:
“Now in its 15th year, the Lunch has raised over £2.85m and is the City’s biggest occasion to support veterans of His Majesty’s Armed Forces. Since 2019, the focus has been on helping veterans into stable and rewarding employment in the civilian world. This year, the aim is to fund up to 15 veterans through the Pain Management Programme, and 65 veterans through RBLI Lifeworks employment programmes, which could have a transformational impact on the veterans and their families.”
Tickets for the Lunch cost £100, which includes unlimited curry, beer and wine. For more details, tickets and to visit our silent auction, please visit our website page here.
