Hundreds of well-wishers packed into the magnificent Guards Chapel on December 14th to support the first public carol concert for Veterans Aid. Organised by staunch supporter Philippa Windridge it was attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and featured readings by broadcasters Kate Adie and Alastair Stewart.
Music for the evening was provided by The Band of the Grenadier Guards, accompanying singers from Westminster School and the Chapel’s own choir. By any standards it was an uplifting and colourful festive event. But it was also a poignant one.
Many of those who braved the bitter December chill to attend the concert had military connections – perhaps a brother, sister, boyfriend or girlfriend currently serving; maybe a son or daughter, a father or mother. Some were bereaved parents or siblings, others were children of veterans. A number were ex-Servicemen themselves – including several who had been helped by Veterans Aid.
One of these, ex-submariner Nigel Naesmith, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, shared the harrowing story of his personal journey from the streets to the security of his own home. “Without Veterans Aid I would not be here today” he told the congregation.
In the four minutes it took to sing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ a collection raised nearly £4,000.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in conversation with Veterans Aid CEO Hugh MilroyAfter the concert, in the floodlit courtyard of this very special place, the mulled wine and mince pies soon lost their heat. People huddled in groups talking about the concert and their plans for Christmas. Some went on to dinner, others to warm homes.
Less than a mile away people with nowhere to go prepared for another night on the streets. Some of them could have been helped. Those who had served in the Armed Forces could have been cared for by Veterans Aid – if they had known that it existed and what it did. But publicity and advertising costs money – and most of what is donated to Veterans Aid goes directly to those most in need.
“In all my 15 years involvement with Veterans Aid, I can’t recall anyone ever organising an event like this,” said CEO Dr Hugh Milroy. I was delighted when I walked into the Chapel – I couldn’t believe my eyes at the sea of faces, all of whom were there to support Veterans Aid. All of the residents and staff are very grateful to Philippa and her chums for getting behind us in such a wholehearted and high-profile way.”
The choir members were from Westminster School and the Guard’s Chapel.
At no time of year is homelessness more heartbreaking than at Christmas; a period when memories – happy and unhappy – take everyone back to years gone by. This year, to raise awareness and show how it operates, Veterans Aid made a film based on Charles Dickens’ famous novella A Christmas Carol. Three ex-Servicemen reprised the visions of Ebenezer Scrooge with versions of their own Christmases past, present and yet to come.
Nigel’s worst Christ mas was spent on a bleak beach; Jonathan’s, in prison, where attending the church service cost him his festive dinner. Darren’s darkest year was the one in which he spent Christmas in a car. Each had experienced the rewards and challenges of Service life; each had encountered unrelated and unforeseen problems after discharge.
In the Veterans Aid version of A Christmas Carol all three men face a bright future – all three will have the support of Veterans Aid for as long as they need it. If you’d like to see this film log on to to this website where it will be live from Christmas Eve.
*Veterans Aid would also like to thank Andrew Wallis, Curator of the Guards Museum, for his hospitality and support in facilitating this event.
