2023 has been another incredible year for the Veterans' Foundation and its supporters with an amazing £5.3 million given in grants to great causes all over the UK - more than we ever have before in a calendar year.
With the cost of living crisis sweeping the country, the support of small and medium-sized charitable organisations has never been more important to many of our veterans in need, so we've given out over 200 grants this year as demand continues to rise.
Those grants have been distributed to every corner of the British Isles in 2023, helping veterans in a wide variety of different ways, from help in getting back into work after their service has ended to vital mental health assistance and treatment for those who need it.
One such organisation is Veterans into Logistics, who used their Veterans' Foundation grant award to help them source three new HGV training vehicles with striking red liveries - all to help ex-servicemen and women find a new career.
“We desperately needed to modernise our training fleet," explained John Harker MBE, General Manager of Veterans into Logistics.
"The Veterans’ Foundation stepped up at the perfect time - their generosity has been incredible and the charity is extremely grateful.
The modern Volvo trucks will have a significant impact on our operational effectiveness and will enable the charity to continue providing HGV driver training to veterans and armed forces service leavers in a more environmentally friendly and efficient way," he added.
VF support has also extended to organisations who care for disabled veterans in their hour of need, such as Care for Veterans, based in Worthing, who received a £25,000 grant to aid their in-house rehabilitation service.
Chief Executive of Care for Veterans, Andy Neaves, was thankful to the VF: “We are so grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation for their ongoing support. By awarding us this grant, they have made a significant impact to the lives of our disabled veterans.
The money will be well-spent on supporting ex-service personnel and their families to improve their mobility, mental health and independence."
Grants have also been awarded to those making forces children's lives better such as Scotty's Little Soldiers and Little Troopers, while VF support has also been extended to the On Course Foundation's Northern Ireland project, helping veterans through golf, and Housing Options Scotland, helping our veterans north of the border with accommodation.
See more in our Impact Report for 2022/23:
But none of this would be possible without the Veterans' Foundation's sensational supporters - your donations, legacies and playing of the Veterans' Lottery make all of these amazing things happen.
Without your help, over 420 different charitable organisations helping British veterans in need on the ground would not have received the vital support provided by Veterans' Foundation grants.
So, thank you for your unstinting support in 2023 and we hope we can count on you to keep giving in 2024 - your money improves and saves the lives of those who served their country and now need our help.
