Posted 24 May, 2013
An evening of comedy and entertainment in Blackpool last weekend raised the fantastic sum of £3,334 for the Association. We would like to thank Carl Schofield and all the fabulous artistes who gave their time to entertain the audience of some 400 people.
Posted 24 May, 2013
This week we took a group of 50 beneficiaries for a relaxing afternoon on the Bluebell Railway in Sussex. All the armed services were represented. It was a highly enjoyable outing for everyone, particularly for the many residents of ex-service care homes across the south east who were able to join us and for the wheelchair users who are so well catered for on the railway.
Posted 23 May, 2013
The NFA are appalled and deeply saddened by the events which took place at Woolwich yesterday. We send our most sincere condolences to the victim’s family, friends and colleagues.
Posted 15 May, 2013
An evening of comedy and entertainment is being held at the Viking Hotel Blackpool on Sunday 19th May. Organised by our great supporter comedian Carl Schofield, tickets cost just £5 with proceeds from the evening going to the NFA. To buy tickets call the Viking Hotel on 01253 348411 or email viking@choicehotels.co.uk.
Carl Schofield entertaining guests at last year’s Christmas Party concert
Posted 14 May, 2013
Yesterday our Head of Events Rosie Thompson and Dave Officer, Military Liaison Officer at DMRC Headley Court, took nine injured troops currently going through rehabilitation to dinner and then on to meet former world boxing champions Roy Jones Jr and Richie Woodhall at Surbiton Amateur Boxing Club.
Roy Jones Jr, Rosie, Dave and Richie Woodhall
Posted 13 May, 2013
The Association was pleased to attend this event, called Exercise Roebuck Accord 6, at St Omer Barracks Aldershot on 29th April.
The event’s aim was to bring together the seriously injured and sick soldiers assigned to this Personnel Recovery Unit with organisations such as the NFA which can offer them assistance and support during and after their recovery process.
Pictured are NFA Treasurer Derek Smyth (l) and Chief Executive Piers Storie-Pugh (r) with Paralympian Mickey Bushell MBE who gave an inspirational talk to guests.
Posted 8 May, 2013
Our springtime programme of concerts has been wonderfully well received at 25 care homes the length and breadth of the country, entertaining a total audience or nearly 1,200 people.
Staged by Mickie Driver and performed by Victoria Yellop, Lloyd Ellery, Sue Kennett, Jackie Simmonds, Janet Beale and Mickie himself, the shows were generally agreed to be better than ever.
The NFA was founded to provide ‘comfort, cheer and entertainment’ to sick and wounded service veterans so these concerts, together with those organised by Libby Stuart in Scotland, are an essential part of our programme of activities.
We would like to thanks all the homes for the very warm welcome given to the NFA and to the artistes.
“Can I say a massive thank you for a fantastic show. Our tenants were absolutely thrilled and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.” Kimberley Linehan, St Georges Court Portsmouth
Posted 7 May, 2013
The NFA’s Ann Milcoy (age not disclosed) and longtime NFA supporter Cyril Banks (aged 88 and a half) both abseiled down the 110-foot Harlow Water Tower on Saturday. Together they have raised more than £1,000 for the Association. Well done to both of them!
Ann on her way down
Cyril & Ann glad to be back on terra firma.
Posted 30 April, 2013
Julius Brookman will be one of the participants in this year’s Pathfinder March, a 46-mile walk through the Cambridgeshire countryside on 22nd June. Julius is walking in memory of his great uncle who was killed in WWII and we are hugely grateful that he has chosen The Not Forgotten Association as his charity for this event. To sponsor Julius visit his charity giving page.
Posted 26 April, 2013
Our friends at wingsforwarriors.org.uk are running four marathons in 48 hours on May 23rd-24th. This daunting 104.8 mile challenge is to raise funds for four charities including The Not Forgotten Association.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so through Virgin Money Giving.
Posted 24 April, 2013
Our very own Ann Milcoy, who has worked here at the NFA for 11 years, together with 87-year-old Cyril Banks, a Royal Navy veteran and longtime NFA supporter, will both be abseiling down the 110-foot Harlow Water Tower on 4th May to raise funds for the Association.
Cyril has already abseiled down the tower three times; for Ann it is a first – and on her birthday! For more information www.justgiving.com/Ann-Milcoy.
Ann and Cyril here with the Swingtime Sweethearts
Posted 24 April, 2013
Our thanks to James Mason, landlord of the Millwright Arms in Warwick, who organised a fundraising day last Saturday and raised £210 for the NFA.
Posted 23 April, 2013
We are delighted that Rembrella Ltd has chosen to support The Not Forgotten Association through the sale of their unique Poppy Umbrella. For the next 12 months Remrella will give a donation to the NFA with each umbrella sold through their website www.rembrella.co.uk.
Posted 22 April, 2013
Last month Rosie Thompson took a mixed group of beneficiaries, including injured lads from The Royal Marines, The Royal Irish and The Rifles, for a fun afternoon of ‘indoor skydiving’ at Airkix Milton Keynes. Thanks to the first class instructors, great staff and positive attitude of the lads themselves, everyone had a really enjoyable time and this was followed by a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.
Our thanks also go to Sainsbury’s who kindly made a donation towards the cost of the event.
More pictures of the day can be found in the Gallery section.
Posted 22 April, 2013
On Saturday 20th April Keith Morris cycled from London to Brighton to raise funds for The Not Forgotten Association.
We were delighted that Keith chose us as his charity for this event for which he is hoping to raise £1,000.
Donations can be made at Keith’s charity webpage.
Looking good Keith!
Friend of the NFA Terry Grimwood thanking Keith
Posted 18 April, 2013
In March a group of 15 injured servicemen and veterans from all the armed services spent a few days skiing at Glenshee, Scotland. Although bitterly cold, the weather was good for skiing and an enjoyable time was had by all. On the final day a highly competitive slalom race and a fun prize-giving presentation rounded off the trip.
One of the group later wrote: “I would like to thank you for arranging such a wonderful fun activity of skiing. Everything about the week I spent with the guys was amazing. Big thumbs up to everyone involved.”
More pictures of the trip can be found in the Gallery section.
Posted 17 April, 2013
On 23rd February Rosie Thompson escorted a small group of four service veterans (all in wheelchairs) plus their carers to the England v France Six Nations match at Twickenham. Everyone enjoyed a great day out – and the result as England beat France - followed by an overnight stay in London.
Posted 17 April, 2013
On 13th April Lawrence Whittle, Secretary of the local branch of The Rifles and The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Wiltshire Regimental Association and keen Bristol City supporter, arranged a collection at the club’s match against Bolton Wanderers in aid of the NFA.
The collectors had to endure miserable weather (and the result of the match – Bristol City lost and have since been relegated!) and we are hugely grateful for their efforts.
Our thanks go to Lawrence, Allan and all team.
Posted 16 April, 2013
Places are available at a special fundraising dinner in support of The Not Forgotten Association. The evening at the Brands Hatch Thistle Hotel will include a 3-course meal with wine, military musical support, live music/disco and a raffle/auction. There will be 60 or so injured servicemen and women at the dinner with whom guests can mix and chat.
Tickets for the dinner cost £75 per person.
During the day our group of servicemen and women will enjoy a fun-packed day, being driven around the Brands Hatch circuit in a variety of high-performance road and racing cars. If anyone books a table for 10 people at the dinner, two of their group can take part in the Track Day alongside the injured servicemen and women (or book half a table and one person can take part).
To book tickets or more details of this special event call Anne McGinley on 0207 730 2400 or email events@nfassociation.org.
Posted 15 April, 2013
Former Para Martin Taylor, together with a group of ex-service and civilian friends, will be climbing Mount Aneto in the Pyrenees in July to raise funds for The Not Forgotten Association.
At 11,100 feet Mount Aneto is the highest in the Pyrenees. Martin and friends made a successful climb of the mountain in 2010 – also in aid of the NFA. This time, however, they will attempt the climb via the more difficult north face.
The NFA wishes them all the best of luck and a safe, successful trip.
Martin & friends climbing Mount Aneto in 2010
Posted 28 March, 2013
On Tuesday 26th March we held our first collection day at Liverpool Street Station and raised the fantastic sum of £4,514.
Our deepest thanks go to the Swingtime Sweethearts Annie and Le’arna who performed their repertoire of swing and wartime songs all day from 7am.
Also to our wonderful band of collectors - most of who are in their ’80s and ’90s - including George Stagg, Ernie Davies, Charles Jeffries, Jack Bruce, Sid Belsey, Bill Parr, Alan Reid, Victor Needham-Crofton, Edwin Mortimer, Ted Roberts, Cyril Banks, Alan Kendall and Terry Ward.
They all gave up their time to help the Association and really did us proud.
Thanks also to the station staff who kindly allowed us to hold the collection.
Posted 20 March, 2013
Earlier this week our Head of Events Rosie Thompson and Adam, a young injured soldier currently going through rehabilitation, had the great pleasure of meeting the legendary former world boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard. Our thanks go to John Murphy for making the arrangements.
(L to R) Rosie, Sugar Ray, Adam and Dave
Posted 15 March, 2013
A team of four, including good friend of the NFA Emma Sewell, are taking on the gruelling challenge of running 104.8 miles from Goodwood to Poole in just two days. They will be raising money for four charities, including The Not Forgotten Association. For more details visit www.wingsforwarriors.org.uk
Our Head of Events Rosie Thompson will be joining them for the last of the four marathons in her final run to raise funds for the Association. Rosie’s fundraising page is www.justgiving.com/Rosie-Thompson3; donations can also be made by cheque.
Posted 12 March, 2013
The Not Forgotten Association (NFA) has agreed closer liaison with The Officers’ Association (OA).
As a tri-service charity which provides help and support to eligible ex-service men and women of all ages and all ranks, the NFA is keen to hear from officers who may previously not have known that they could benefit from its activities.
The OA’s Head of Benevolence, Evelyn Strouts, said: “I was concerned that eligible former officers may not be aware that they are able to take part in events organised by the NFA and I’d like them to have every opportunity to enjoy the social activities that they offer.”
Piers Storie-Pugh, Chief Executive of the NFA, added: “I am delighted that we are also co-operating with The Officers Association in this way. We are keen to help as many eligible beneficiaries as possible from all the Armed Services. This latest initiative will ensure that the maximum number of officers are aware of our unique offering and I am confident that liaison with the OA will help greatly in this regard.”
Those interested should contact the OA by email info@officersassociation.org.uk or telephone on 0845 873 7153.
Posted 27 February, 2013
Following last year’s successful inaugural skiing trip to France, we recently took another group for a week to La Plagne in the French Alps.
The group included single and double amputees, others who had sustained head and brain injuries and some suffering from nerve damage. Most of them had never been skiing before, but they all took to the slopes with fearless enthusiasm and a sense of challenge.
With guests from The Paras, The Royal Marines, The Royal Navy and several Army Regiments, there was some good-natured banter, but they were a fantastic group of lads who got along famously.
Once again we are indebted to Disability Snowsport UK for all their support and assistance in making the trip go without a hitch.
One of the Guardsmen on the trip has written: “I wanted to say a massive thank you for allowing me to come on your trip to La Plagne this year. I had a great time and can honestly say that this was without doubt the best trip I have been on since my injury. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in organising the event. I have made some great friends from this event and it was an awesome collection of individuals that helped make it a fantastic week.”
Posted 22 February, 2013
We are delighted to announce that the British & Irish Lions, England, Wasps and Bristol forward Tim Payne has chosen the NFA as one of the three charities which will be supported throughout his Benefit Year.
Tim’s Benefit Year ‘kicked off’ today with a business breakfast in London where an auction and raffle helped to get the fundraising ball rolling.
The other nominated charities are the RPA Restart and the NSPCC.
Tim Payne with the NFA’s Rosie Thompson at the launch event
Posted 11 February, 2013
Rosie Thompson, Head of Events at The Not Forgotten Association, has broken her marathon fundraising target of £100,000 for the charity. Rosie recently ran the Dubai Marathon – the latest in a series of marathons – in temperatures of up to 30⁰C, finishing in a very respectable time of under five hours.
Rosie has worked at the NFA for 15 years and is currently escorting a party of seriously wounded personnel from The Royal Marines, The Royal Artillery, The Guards, The Rifles and The Parachute Regt on a skiing trip in France.
Posted 5 February, 2013
Students from the Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education, who are preparing for a career within the Armed Forces, recently organised a charity event as part of their studies. We are delighted that they chose to support the NFA raising an impressive £405.56 at Tesco’s Cleethorpes on Saturday 19th January. Our grateful thanks to tutor Marie Genney and all the students involved for their continued support.
Posted 9 January, 2013
We are hugely grateful to Charlotte Kelly and Jerome Scherrer, a former serving Royal Marine who was medically discharged in 2011, who both ran the Chevin Chase on Boxing Day in aid of The Not Forgotten Association. This annual seven-mile run in the Yorkshire hills is a gruelling multi-terrain event, won this time by Olympic Triathlon bronze medallist Jonny Brownlee.
So far Charlotte and Jerome have raised more than £500 for the NFA. To donate visit http://www.justgiving.com/CharlotteKellyJeromeScherrer
Charlotte and Jerome after the Chevin Chase
Posted 21 December, 2012
The NFA is now able to receive donations by text via JustTextGiving by Vodafone. We receive every penny of the amount donated and texts are free to send even if the donor is not on the Vodafone network (and texts do not come out of the donor’s price plan allocation).
To make a donation simply text ‘TNFA12′ plus the donation amount (for example TNFA £10) to 70070.