British Forces broadcasters BFBS have given a warm endorsement to the Homeless Veterans Christmas Campaign that is supporting one of its five Big Salute charities – Veterans Aid.
Controller BFBS Radio Nicky Ness said, “As the Forces broadcaster, BFBS is delighted that both Veterans Aid and ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity are being supported through the Homeless Veterans Christmas Appeal, as we work with both charities on a regular basis. BFBS broadcasts across the UK and worldwide wherever British Forces are serving, from theatres of war, to the global ‘home fronts’ where military families are based. And BFBS regularly reports on issues faced by veterans and the support that military charities give to the serving and retired military communities.
FOR more than seven years, BFBS has enjoyed a close relationship with Veterans Aid, as it’s one of the five tri-service charities supported by our annual on-air BFBS Big Salute fundraising campaign.
Through the Big Salute initiative, we raise money for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, Blind Veterans UK, Combat Stress, FAB (Families’ Activity Breaks) and Veterans Aid.
To encourage fundraising through our on-air and online appeals, we record the voices and film the faces of those who have benefited from the often life-changing work of all five charities.
For Veterans Aid, BFBS gathers radio and TV material at their Drop-in Centre in Victoria, where CEO, Dr Hugh Milroy, and his team offer front line help to those in need.
Year after year we are struck by the variety of situations that lead ex-servicemen and women to ask Veterans Aid for assistance, often because they feel that they have nowhere else to turn.
For our 2014 campaign we met three beneficiaries with very different stories.
Thirty-eight -year-old Biffy Lynch joined the Navy in 1995, and left after nine fulfilling years. She moved to Plymouth to be near her sister, but sadly her own relationship problems meant she became a single mum of three.
Though she was supporting her children and working full-time for agencies, her employment was temporary and she couldn’t secure a tenancy agreement. She was facing homelessness until Veterans Aid stepped in and acted as a guarantor for her rent.
Her family is now settled in a home they love, and are being educated in great schools, for which Biffy will always be grateful. “Veterans Aid was the calming influence I needed, they gave me help, advice and the finances to help me move forward,” she said. “It’s the forever hand-holding that they offer – it’s amazing.”
From left: Daz Mallard, Mario Chrisostomou & Ben Thompson
Forty-year-old Daz Mallard served with the Royal Corps of Signals in the early nineties as a radio technician.
Today, he’s proud to wear the Veterans Aid T-shirt as he now works as a volunteer in Victoria. The charity helped him undergo a drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme, and he recently returned to adult education at City Lit in London.
“If I hadn’t come to Veterans Aid I would undoubtedly be in prison,” explained Daz. “On a daily basis I’m now living a lifestyle where I lean on other people and I will let the charity look after me until I can look after myself. That’s what Veterans Aid do, they are kind of like my parents.”
During our work with Veterans Aid we have seen heartbreaking examples of beneficiaries who became so desperate that they attempted suicide before finding the safety, structure, and support offered by the charity.
This year was no exception, as 64-year-old Derek Ellerbeck told us his story. He had joined the Army in 1969 and served with the Devon and Dorset Regiment until the mid-seventies.
Years later when he lost his partner of 25 years, and encountered money problems, desperation drove him to suicidal tendencies. Derek still bears the scars of the day he set fire to himself.
After surviving the ordeal he temporarily moved to Australia to live with his brother, but on returning to the UK he became homeless. That’s when Veterans Aid gave him a room in their hostel.
“Veterans Aid are supreme in helping people,” he said. “They look after you, make you feel important and make you feel comfortable in yourself. I’ve had sound advice in getting proper accommodation, and help in furnishing my place.
“I’m hoping I can put something back so I can encourage other people in similar circumstances to get on the right path. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.”
At the core of Veterans Aid, there’s an impassioned belief to take ‘action this day’. It’s a hugely energetic but empathetic approach that is tangible the moment you meet Milroy and his staff.
Whether veterans need urgent care, long-term support and advice, or signposting to specialist agencies, the charity is totally committed to finding a solution. And they do it immediately.
BFBS reporters have also been welcomed into the Veterans Aid hostel at New Belvedere House in East London. For many beneficiaries, it is the first real ‘home’ they have experienced for years.
We have seen how comradeship from fellow veterans, combined with professional care can help rebuild self-respect. Veterans are encouraged to seek education and employment so they can move forward with their lives and look ahead to a positive future, not back to their homeless past.
And as well as fundraising, if we at BFBS can signpost those in need to this inspirational organisation – through our broadcasting and programmes that offer links back to military life – then we hope we are adding some additional assistance.
“We feel close to this charity because we’ve met so many of the individuals that it has helped. We’ve heard their real stories, and have been moved by the impact the charity’s support has had on ex-servicemen and women of all ranks and ages.
Veterans Aid really does make a difference to the lives of military veterans and we are very proud to be their friends, sharing a common value of going the extra mile to support this exceptional community, whenever they need it. “
* For more information about the BFBS Big Salute, go online to: www.bigsalute.com
BFBS Forces Radio is available on DAB digital radio in the UK, on FM across the UK, on Sky Channel 0211, Freesat Channel 786, at www.bfbs.com, via the free BFBS Radio app, and on FM across the Forces world.[/fusion_text]
