Sponsored by SSAFA
https:// https://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us
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11 Feb 22. NP Aerospace Backs Para’s Mental Health Sahara Marathon Mission. THE TOUGHEST FOOTRACE ON EARTH.IN BODY ARMOUR.FOR MENTAL HEALTH.
Link to video: Watch Ex Para Prepare for Mental Health Sahara Marathon Mission – YouTube
Media interviews available
NP Aerospace is supporting an ex-Para’s mission to run the 250km Moroccan Marathon des Sables wearing body armour to raise money for Support our Paras and mental health awareness.
Jonny Mortimer Hendry, now at DEA Aviation, served within the British Army Parachute Regiment for seven years including tours in Afghanistan. On his return he battled mental health issues including post traumautic stress disorder and was keen to raise awareness of growing mental health issues particularly during the pandemic.
The 250km Marathon des Sables takes place from 25 March to 4th April 2022 in the Moroccan Sahara desert and is one of the toughest foot races in the world. You have to carry all your kit and equipment and the only resupply you have is water.
Jonny decided to set a world record attempt of being the first person to complete the marathon whilst wearing 10kg of body armour.
Jonny Mortimer Hendry comments: “When you go to war you wear body armour to protect you against bombs and bullets, but nothing protects your mind. I am running the Marathon des Sables to make a very clear visual statement about soldiers’ and veterans’ mental health and to encourage others to seek help to overcome their battles. Whilst serving in the Parachute regiment I was involved in incidents that I struggled to process on my return and with the help of Support Our Paras I was able to find therapy and get my life back on track.”
James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, comments: “As an armour manufacturer, we work with active and veteran military personnel across the world and hear many stories like Jonny’s, the pressure on mental health is extreme. If we can encourage our industry to back charities like Support our Paras who help people find support when they go through adversity then we will be one step closer to improving the lives of veterans and their families.”
Joining Jonny in the Marathon as part of his support team are:
- Martin Hewitt, former British Army Officer, mountaineer and charity co-founder
- Levison Wood, a world-renowned explorer, photographer, best-selling author and documentary producer
- Johnny Neil, former member of the elite pathfinder platoon and owner of media company, Provideo
Companies supporting Jonny, in addition to NP Aerospace, include Edgar Brothers, BeaverFit UK, Firepot, SUPPORT OUR PARAS
To raise money https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jonny-hendry
For more information about Marathon des Sables 35ème MARATHON DES SABLES – Site officiel
SUPPORT OUR PARAS supports Paras in The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces through the welfare of veterans, serving soldiers and their families and widows, and through the maintenance of its regimental efficiency, ethos, spirit and heritage.
10 Feb 22. Veterans: Civil Servants
Question for Ministry of Defence
Stephanie Peacock
Labour
Barnsley East
Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of armed forces veterans employed by the civil service in each year since 2010.
Answer
Leo Docherty
Conservative
Aldershot
Commons
Answered on 9 February 2022
This information is not held in the format requested. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not collect or hold information on all veterans and cannot say where veterans of the Armed Forces take up employment post service. The MOD does not routinely maintain a record of an employee’s prior employment. However, the Government have successfully piloted the Great Place to Work scheme across six government Departments which includes Defence and have commenced the roll out of this initiative across Departments for all Civil Service roles, including Senior Civil Servant positions by the end of March 2022. During the pilot phase, 928 veterans applied to the Ministry of Defence under the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme within the nine-month early adopter phase, of which 338 were offered an interview, 105 offered a job. To date 33 are known to have accepted and started in a post.
08 Feb 22. Service leavers veterans and reservists to see enhanced support following combination of employment services. Two of the UK’s largest and most respected military charities intend to combine their employment-related work, beginning an exciting new chapter in their history. The Officers’ Association (OA) and RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity (RFEA) are working together to create a single charity to provide exceptional career support to all service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their families. Support will be available throughout the UK, irrespective of rank, length of service, or reasons for leaving.
The new organisation will be called Forces Employment Charity, reflecting the purpose and heritage of the two constituent organisations. Founded in 1920 and 1885 respectively, the OA and RFEA both enjoy royal patronage, and provide support, jobs and training opportunities to Service leavers and veterans, as well as their families. Between them, the charities helped over 25,000 ex-military personnel in 2021.
Historically, the OA has existed to help officers, and the RFEA has supported veterans and service leavers of all ranks. Whilst having a different focus, both organisations are driven by a desire to achieve the best outcomes for their beneficiaries. This objective will underpin the new charity’s direction, building on the individual successes of the OA and RFEA, and turbocharging the 2 organisations’ work to continue transforming the lives of military personnel for the next century and beyond.
Forces Employment Charity will be headquartered in Mountbarrow House, London, and led by Alistair Halliday, current Chief Executive of RFEA, and the new Board of Trustees will be comprised of trustees from both charities. Ben Farrell MBE, a current trustee of the OA, will be appointed the new Chairman of Trustees. The OA Presidents and RFEA Vice Patrons will also lend their considerable experience. The OA’s CEO, Lee Holloway, will continue to run the OA’s grants and welfare services to officers and their dependants.
Ben Farrell (Chairman designate of Forces Employment Charity) said, “The rationale of combining the employment capabilities of both existing charities is clear, and will lead to an improved offering to all beneficiaries who can look forward to an unprecedented level of support from Forces Employment Charity. We are completely committed to continuing the OA and RFEA’s current programmes, retaining the advantages of having a bespoke service for the Officer Corps, and delivering all existing contracts to the highest standards. The charities’ staff will also be given the opportunity to play their part in this new strategy, with all employment and directly relevant support staff carrying over into the new organisation. Lee Holloway’s contribution to the OA over the last 8 years has been immense, and we all wish him the very best for the future.”
Alistair Halliday (Chief Executive designate of Forces Employment Charity) said, “The creation of this new charity is motivated by a desire to maximise outcomes for beneficiaries, who will enjoy unrivalled access to employment services of the highest quality. We believe that veterans and Service personnel of all ranks have a range of skills that make them well placed to thrive in the public or private sector. It is our responsibility to help them realise their potential. This is an exciting new chapter for everyone connected with the OA and RFEA, and I am confident that Forces Employment Charity will build on the excellent work of both charities, and has a bright future ahead.”
Lee Holloway (Chief Executive Officer of the OA) said, “This combination is a partnership of equals, and will benefit military personnel of all ranks, including officers, who will see their support enhanced through access to a wider range of programmes, such as Military Women and Partners programmes, Project Nova and Ex-Forces Employment. Having been the CEO of the OA for the past 8 years, I have every confidence that future generations of officers needing employment support will be better served than ever before.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
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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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