The Prime Minister said: “I am constantly humbled by the commitment and dedication of our service personnel. The brave men and women in our armed forces have made, and continue to make, enormous sacrifices for the security of our country. This exhibition has my full support in showcasing through the lenses of others their indomitable spirit and insatiable desire to make a positive difference for the people of Afghanistan.”

The exhibition is helping to raise money for the NFA and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

More than one hundred images taken by frontline service photographers, embedded journalists and the renowned war artist Andrew Miller will be on display, many of them for the first time to the public.

Amongst those who have given their support to the travelling exhibition are Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards, and Ross Kemp who was embedded with 3 Commando Brigade on Op HERRICK 14.

Original artwork, limited edition signed prints and an Operation HERRICK 14 photographic book will be sold at each venue and online to raise money both for the NFA and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.

The Association’s Chief Executive, Piers Storie-Pugh, said: “We are delighted to be the tri-service charity of choice for this unique initiative. Fundraising of this nature enables the NFA to continue focussing  on delivering  its  unique support and help to  the serving wounded  and ex-service personnel with disabilities. The courage and dedication of Task Force Helmand’s men and women displayed in the artwork and photographs of this exhibition serve to remind us of those who have served before and those who will serve in the future who may, in time, come to need the help of charities such as ours”.

Exhibition dates and venues:
Plymouth, Central Library: 26 January-8 February
Exeter, Guildhall: 10-17 February
Barnstaple, Pannier Market: 20-25 February
London, Whitehall MoD Main Building: 27 February-2 March (MoD employees only)
London, Royal Marines Reserves, RMB Wandsworth: 28-30 March
Plymouth, RMB Stonehouse: 30 March (Op HERRICK 14 Honours & Awards Families Day)
Portsmouth, Royal Marines Museum: 2-20 April
Birmingham, Number Nine The Gallery: 10-13 May

All dates are 2012. Additional dates may be added.

For further information on the exhibition visit www.shoulder2shoulder.co.uk

One of the exhibits by Andrew Miller

This year’s event was graced by His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex, accompanied by Lady-in-Waiting Mrs Pippa Southgate-Sands. HRH was greeted by Field Marshal The Lord Inge and escorted by the NFA Chairman Brigadier Heywood and Chief Executive Piers Storie-Pugh.

During a 1½ hour walkabout His Royal Highness visited every table in the magnificent Throne, Entree and Queen Anne Rooms and spoke to many individuals who had served in all three services in WWII and subsequent campaigns, including those injured in Afghanistan. Everybody was thrilled by his interest in where they had served and what they had done. 

Over 300 beneficiaries – the youngest 21, the oldest 93 - enjoyed a wonderful tea party as guests of the NFA almost exactly 90 years since the first such event in December 1921 which was graced then by HRH The Princess Mary.

As ever the arrangements were made with the full co-operation of the State Apartments staff under their Superintendent, who all went out of their way to make this a happy and successful event. The staff regard the NFA Christmas Party as very special given that the beneficiaries are the serving wounded and the ex-service with disabilities and even say that for them it marks the start of Christmas.

To ensure that the event ran even more smoothly, we had enlisted the support of 40 helpers drawn from the Regular, Territorial and Reserve Forces who chatted to guests and provided any assistance required. They added great colour to the afternoon, as did the delightful choir from Farnham Junior Girls Choir.

Tables were hosted by NFA Presidents, past Chairmen, Trustees, celebrities and members of staff. Guests were entertained by magicians, caricaturists, balloon modellers, celebrities and Father Christmas himself whilst being serenaded by The Brass Quintet of the Band of the Coldstream Guards, before being piped into the Picture Gallery for the afternoon’s concert.

Brigadier Heywood read out the loyal greetings that had been sent to HM The Queen and the reply that had been received which was hugely appreciated by everybody.  The concert, arranged by Dougie Squires and his team, then got under way. A variety of artistes including singer Mica Paris, pianist Jean Martyn, Tony Blackburn, Dick and Dom, the Swingtime Sweethearts, Marawa The Amazing, Mandy Muden and Mickie Driver, delighted and entertained the audience. Children from St Edmund Campion Catholic School Maidenhead set the nativity scene and sang carols with the entertainers.

The event was a huge success and our deepest thanks go to all those who helped to make it such a delightful afternoon which brought great joy to many people of all ages.

To see photographs of the 2011 Christmas Party in our Gallery section click here

Chairman Brigadier Richard Heywood said: “Our work is not the normal responsibility of the Government and accordingly I have no difficulty in asking people to give as generously as they feel able to in these difficult financial times. When our Service heroes suffer in the course of their duty it really is beholden on all of us to ensure that they, like their predecessors, are never forgotten.”

To see a pdf version of the Christmas Appeal leaflet with details of how to make a donation click here.

You can also make a donation by clicking on our Donation Form.

Jim O'Keefe with Piers Storie-Pugh

Jim O’Keefe, immediate Past Master of The Vectensian Lodge on the Isle of Wight and a fervent supporter of The Not Forgotten Association, travelled to London from his home on the isle to present a cheque to the NFA for £1,605.

Jim served in the PMRAFNS for 30 years and latterly spent 10 years with the Defence Medical Welfare Services where he first became involved with the NFA.

As he presented the cheque to Chief Executive Piers Storie-Pugh, Jim said: ‘It is my pleasure and that of my colleagues on the Isle of Wight to continue our support of this worthy tri-service charity. The contribution in wartime from the Isle of Wight was very much tri-service. We hope that this donation will help you to continue your work in providing entertainment and other activities for the ex-service community as well as for those who are wounded and still serving.’