Sponsored by SSAFA
https:// https://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us
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18 Nov 24. The UK Ministry of Defence has announced a significant expansion of its Wraparound Childcare scheme, extending it to Armed Forces families deployed overseas.
The initiative, hoped to save eligible families approximately £3,400 annually, forms part of a broader effort to enhance support for service personnel and address challenges related to military life.
Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the importance of recognising the sacrifices made by Armed Forces families:
“We ask our Armed Forces to make extraordinary sacrifices to defend UK interests and keep us all safe. This expansion of wraparound childcare is a testament to our commitment to support these families, saving them thousands of pounds and ensuring their service is valued.”
The expansion will provide 20 hours of funded before- and after-school childcare each week for families stationed abroad. Set to cost £3 m over five years, the programme will be available from January 2025 in several locations, including most European countries, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and Brunei.
The childcare scheme extension builds on existing government measures to improve conditions for Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Ministry of Defence recently introduced recruitment reforms, simplifying application processes and reconsidering over 700 applications previously hindered by medical restrictions.
Additionally, this year saw the largest Armed Forces pay increase in 22 years, with new recruits receiving a 35% rise.
Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, underscored the government’s commitment:
“Armed Forces families deployed overseas give up so much to protect the UK. For the first time, the government is ensuring they can access the same level of support as those back home. We will not rest until military morale is lifted, and their service is properly recognised and rewarded.”
18 Nov 24. Rygor Land Systems Announces Sponsorship of British Army Sport.
Rygor Land Systems, which launched to meet the evolving automotive needs of the Military, Government, and Defence sectors, back in May 2024, has chosen to sponsor Army Sport as it offers so much to serving Army personnel and aligns with the company’s own values.
Rish Channa, commercial director of Rygor Land Systems, said: “Sport brings people together. It creates a team environment, builds resilience, enhances physical fitness and capability. These skills and behaviours very much align with Rygor Land System’s values of being ‘Reliable’, ‘Resilient’ and ‘Robust’, which is why we knew this would be a brilliant partnership.”
Greg Victor, head of sales at Rygor Land Systems, said: “With 22 years of military service and a history of representing the Army in various sports, I understand firsthand the dedication, discipline, and camaraderie that Army Sport fosters and how invaluable these activities are in building resilience, teamwork, and leadership among our forces. Rygor Land Systems is honoured to play a part in sustaining these programmes and to celebrate the achievements of Army athletes.”
This sponsorship aligns with Rygor Land Systems’ ongoing mission to back the armed forces, providing robust support for soldiers and fostering team spirit and unity through the world of sport. By sponsoring Army Sport, Rygor Land Systems is not only contributing to the well-being of military personnel but also recognising the vital role that sports play in enhancing morale, fitness, and cohesion among service members.
Ashley Wright, business development manager for Rygor Land Systems, said: “The launch of Rygor Land Systems this year has been a fantastic opportunity for me to work within an exciting new company, which has much to offer our customer base. Our sponsorship of Army Sport is all about being able to support service personnel, in mentally and physically preparing for operations through the medium of sport. I was honoured to attend the Inter-Corps Netball tournament in November, along with our People Manager, Samantha, as our sponsorship commenced; it was incredible to see the sporting behaviours and teamwork in action.”
Major General (Retd) Darrell Amison CBE, chief executive at Army Sport, said: “It is a great privilege to welcome Rygor Land Systems as our latest partner and silver sponsor of Army Sport. Their support of Army winter sports, Army football, Army Netball and REME sport really matters. Sport helps prepare soldiers – our point of difference – for operations by improving physical fitness, mental resilience, leadership, and teamwork. Sport fosters cohesion; the ability to thrive under pressure; promotes continual learning; and the courage to overcome fear. In short, Rygor Land Systems support for sport contributes to the Army’s fighting power by inspiring a will to win and improving our ability to fight, all of which contributes to our core purpose: to protect the Nation and help it prosper, by fighting and winning the Nation’s battles, in and from the land, as an integral part of a joint force. Army Sport looks forward to developing a close and beneficial relationship with Rygor Land Systems; a relationship that will endure over the long-term.”
Rygor Group, a UK Best Workplace for two years running, comprises a diverse collection of UK automotive businesses, with a primary focus on trucks, vans, coaches, passenger cars, body repairs and coachbuilding. Through the hard work of our team members, we have secured our position as one of the UK’s top automotive Groups, with a turnover of circa £300m a year.
We value the dedication and commitment of our team members and strive to be one of the UK’s most rewarding places to work. Rygor Group manages our four divisions: Rygor Auto, Rygor Land Systems, Rygor Plant and Rygor Service Solutions, which operate from a total of 17 sites across the UK.
Rygor Land Systems provide comprehensive solutions for critical and deployable land-based assets, which are crucial to modern military and security operations. The team is poised to deliver unparalleled service and innovation to clients who rely on reliable, high-performance, and adaptable solutions
Rygor Auto consists of three renowned brands: Mercedes-Benz, SAIC Maxus, and Higer Buses. Rygor Auto is home to the largest UK dealer group for Mercedes-Benz Commercial vehicles, also offering passenger car aftersales at select locations. Rygor Auto offers customers an award-winning, quality service level, backed up by decades of experience. We are also home to the largest Maxus dealer group in the UK, and the only UK company to offer Higer buses. Rygor Auto is an official UK Best Workplace and Best Workplace for Wellbeing (large companies 2023).
Rygor Service Solutions is our independent fleet workshop division, specialising in full management of commercial vehicle fleets within customers premises, or totally mobile servicing solutions. We look after some of the UK’s largest fleets, including Tesco, Ocado, and Brakes. And are committed to keeping them on the road, serving their customers.
Rygor Plant is a dealer for Mecalac / Dieci / XCMG & KAESER XCMG and we are proud to be their chosen partner for sales and aftersales.
For more information, in the first instance please contact Director of People
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SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. In 2020, our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 79,000 people in need, the
currently serving (both regulars and reserves), veterans from the Second World War and those who have served in more recent conflicts, as well as their families. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us
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