There are a large number of charities which are specifically geared to provide support to Britain’s brave men and women who serve in various divisions of the military, whether they be soldiers, naval or air force. While this is a good thing, it also makes it difficult for people to decide on which charity to choose for their donations.
For this reason, online retailer www.theforcesstore.co.uk will provide a comprehensive alphabetical list of the primary charities and the work they do in service of Britain’s military personnel.
Erskine
Founded as far back as 1916, this charity has provided nursing and medical care for former members of our Armed forces through both world wars, and now it also serves to help those wounded in the more recent conflicts and peace keeping initiatives. In addition to giving top-notch medical care at their five care homes across Scotland, Erskine’s aim is to help veterans re-build their lives and restore their dignity.
Forces Children’s Trust
As their title suggests, the Forces Children’s Trust focuses on helping dependent children that have lost a parent while they were serving with the Armed Forces. The charity came about because its founder Denny Wise was concerned that the needs of the affected children from the losses in Afghanistan and Iraq were not being fully addressed. Thus an initiative purely dedicated to helping the individual needs of these children was created to help fill a gap in the charitable area of family care.
Forces Pension Society
As a not-for-profit charity, the Forces Pension Society fights for higher pensions and campaigns against related injustices for all those in the armed forces. It also provides its members with helpful advice through their dedicated Helpline and offers them discounts on a range of products and services, including healthcare, holidays, car parking and even currency exchange.
Gardening Leave
Having started as pilot project in Ayrshire in 2007, this charity offers Horticultural Therapy for serving and ex-Service personnel as well as veterans. They have subsequently opened two more Gardening Leave sites at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Erskine Hospital near Glasgow. The charity’s objective is to help veterans feel a sense of community, comfort and relaxation.
Help for Heroes (H4H)
Help for Heroes was founded in 2007 by Bryn and Emma Parry after they paid a visit to Selly Oak Hospital where they met a number of brave young people who had been badly wounded while serving. Thanks to the backing and support of celebrities, the Royal Family, the media and kind members of the general public, the charity has raised over £1m a month since then to help the wounded.
Lord Leycester Hospital
Established in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, this charity provides homes for retired ex-Servicemen and their wives in mediaeval half-timbered buildings adjacent to the ancient West gate of Warwick. The Hospital receives no Government or local authority funding and is entirely reliant upon visitor income and donations.
Mutual Support
This charity provides support to military families affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). They offer their help to serving, retired or dependant members of all three of the armed forces and their reserves. The Mutual Support team are all affected by MS themselves, so their combined experience and advice brings much comfort, support and practical help to those affected.
National Gulf Veterans & Families Association
Operating for over 12 years now, this charity supports ex-serving and serving members of the armed forces as well as their families who have been affected by the Gulf war (1990-91), Iraq war (2003-09) and on-going conflict in Afghanistan. Many of these veterans of desert conflicts (both regular and reservists) have had to leave the armed forces due to resulting physical and mental ill health, and are now often unable to work. The National Gulf Veterans & Families Association aims to help them through their difficulties and bring them a better quality of life in return for their sacrifice.
Northern Ireland Veterans Association (NIVA)
The Northern Ireland Veterans Association was founded to provide a focal for veterans of Operation Banner and their families. They have a Welfare/Sign posting team and arrange an annual memorial service every September at the NMA in Staffordshire.
Conclusion
The Forces Store ( http://www.theforcesstore.co.uk/ ), which specialises in providing an online platform for military gifts and support, is pleased to give the public an overview of the charities that offer vital help to Britain’s armed forces.
Author Bio: Joseph Brock is a freelance writer, who takes special interests on British Armed Forces and their military gifts. He presents interesting stories and experiences of wives and friends of British Armed Forces that are worth listening.
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