Sponsored by SSAFA
https:// https://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us
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29 Mar 22. Defence Industry Charitable Dinner 2022.
I am delighted to confirm that this year’s SSAFA Defence Industry Charitable Dinner will take place on Tuesday 1 November 2022 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY. The evening will be hosted by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC, Chief of the Defence Staff and the keynote speech will be delivered by a senior government speaker.
Demand for tables is high, so to avoid disappointment please use the link below to book your table. We will operate on a ‘first come first served basis’.
Please follow this link to book your table: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/DefenceIndustryCharitableDinner2022
The event will operate in its usual format of tables of up to 12, however we do strongly recommend tables of up to 10 to ensure maximum comfort.
To avoid any disappointment whilst sending your invitations out, I can confirm SSAFA have invited the below to join them as their VIP guests:
Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of General Staff
First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
Chief of the Air Staff
Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
Commander Strategic Command
Secretary of State for Defence
Minister for Defence Procurement
Minister of State for Armed Forces
Minister for Defence People and Veterans
Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence
Second Permanent Secretary
National Security Adviser
Minister of State for Defence
Chief Executive of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)
Chairman of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)
Once your table is confirmed, we will be sending further details to you closer to the event.
29 Mar 22. The Invictus Games Foundation Welcomes Boeing as Official Partner. The Invictus Games welcomes Boeing [NYSE: B.A.] as Official Partner in a multi-year agreement supporting international wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. Boeing is also announced as Premier Partner to the upcoming Invictus Games The Hague 2020, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, and to the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023.
“We are very grateful for the long-term support of Boeing for the Invictus Games movement. This builds upon their sponsorship of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 and now extends to a multi-year Games partnership agreement in a first for the Foundation,” said Invictus Games Foundation CEO Dominic Reid. “Our work supporting international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women through sport is only made possible by partners such as Boeing, which has committed to long term support for veterans and their wider community.”
The partnership will provide funding for the Foundation to continue to inspire the recovery of international wounded, injured and sick veterans and service personnel through the power of sports, esports and adventurous challenges. In particular, this extends to the work of the Foundation beyond the Games, to improve ongoing access to recovery and rehabilitation programs, including Invictus Endeavours, and will allow the Foundation to develop best practices and research to support the international veterans community.
“At Boeing, we are committed to supporting transitioning military service members, veterans and their families globally,” said Ziad Ojakli, Boeing’s executive vice president of Government Operations. “We do this by funding employment readiness programs for transitioning service members and their spouses as well as through our support of organizations like the Invictus Games Foundation, which work to improve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of veterans and their families. I am excited about the reach of this incredible partnership and look forward to a great competition.”
In 2021, Boeing contributed more than €11m in support of veterans workforce transition and recovery and rehabilitation programs globally. Over the past five years, Boeing has contributed more than €10m to support charitable organizations across Europe – this includes approximately €1m for programs that support veterans and their families living on the continent.
“On behalf of our 140,000 Boeing teammates around the world, including the approximately 20,000 veterans in our ranks, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all those competing in this year’s Invictus Games,” said Sir Michael Arthur, senior vice president of Boeing and president of Boeing International. “As part of our longstanding support of the veterans community across the world, Boeing is proud to sponsor this year’s games and celebrate the achievements and dedication of all Invictus Games competitors.”
This year, the Games are taking place April 16 – 22 in the Netherlands after two delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring 500 competitors from 20 nations taking part in 10 sports, the Games will also bring together family members and friends of the competitors to acknowledge their role in recovery, post-injury or illness. The Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 will take place in Germany, September 9 – 16, 2023.
28 Mar 22. Mark Pledges to “Leave No Veteran Behind” as Finchale Group Marches Forward. A north east charity is celebrating the arrival of a new member of the team and the opening of a new resource to help military veterans in their civilian life.
Mark Hill MBE has joined Finchale Group to help the Belmont based charity provide life changing support, training opportunities and routes to employment. The charity has excellent links with the military and started life in 1943 as a rehabilitation and resettlement centre for disabled wartime servicemen. As well as continuing to help ex-military personnel it has expanded and diversified to deliver high-quality employability and vocational training programmes for learners of all ages.
Mark brings with him a wealth of military experience, with 32 years serving in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and latterly the Yorkshire Regiment seeing operational tours in war torn countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia. In 2014 he was awarded the MBE through his work as the Army’s Community Youth Engagement Officer for engaging with hard-to-reach young people who were not in employment, education, or training.
His new mission is to work alongside the veteran community and help deliver activities, apprenticeships, and skills. “As well as operational roles, I have spent a lot of time in the military as an instructor delivering skills to soldiers. I’ve worked with diverse communities, businesses and government departments and I’m looking to build on these connections in my role with Finchale.,” he said.
One of Mark’s first successes is the opening of a new Veteran’s Information Hub in Catterick Garrison which was opened by local MP, Rishi Sunak MP.
“I very much welcome the opening of the hub at Catterick to provide tailored support for our Veterans. By creating a network of assistance in a familiar environment, I am sure it will prove a success in helping those who have served with our Armed Forces access the support they need to create a new life after their service,” said Mr Sunak.
The Hub offers support and activities for veterans and Mark is encouraging people to come along and experience the military tradition of “tea and toast.””Tea and toast is basically an opportunity to sit down and take a break and chat with like-minded people. In the Army, NAAFI break was historically 10:00am until 10:30am for all ranks, Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess members would have tea and toast in their Mess whilst the Officers had “elevenses” in their Mess. I’m taking that concept as it is familiar with those that served and gives me the opportunity to plan activities based on need,” said Mark.
The Hub has a very flexible role based on the people who use it. Already activities such as hiking, mountain biking, metal detecting and Airfix model clubs have been lined up while more formal training such as CV writing, and employability skills workshops are planned.
“Our programme can never be rigid as it is led by the needs of those we help. I use the same analogy that we use in combat and that is you never leave your fellow soldier behind, and I won’t leave one veteran behind in the battle to help them succeed in Civvie Street. If we at Finchale Group can’t help we will always know someone who can or will sign post them onwards.”
Mark is also keen to build up relationships with businesses in the north east especially those that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant so that veterans can engage with the world of work.
Chair of Finchale Group, Jason Knights, Managing Director of Blue Kangaroo Design, said
“I served in the Army myself and know the difficulties that veterans can face when they leave the forces. Many struggle to find employment leading to mental health issues and I’m delighted that we have Mark onboard to help make a difference to the lives of those men and women who served our country during their time in uniform,” he said.
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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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