Forces Charities

BFBS Big Salute fundraising gives a boost to military charities

Five military charities are to benefit from money raised by the BFBS Big Salute after another year in which the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for fundraising events to be held due to restrictions to keep people safe.

The BFBS Big Salute has raised more than £1.5m since it started and continues to raise money for a range of Armed Forces charities every year and welcomes online project-based grant applications.

BFBS is a military charity and broadcaster that entertains, informs, connects and champions the UK Armed Forces. It is also the parent company to forces.net.

BFBS Big Salute grants are awarded up to the value of £10,000 per charity, which can make a huge difference to the lives of those in need in the forces community, from service children to veterans.

Previous grants have helped charities like Army Widows run a respite weekend, Beyond the Battlefield fund a veteran 'Meet Up Eat Up' breakfast club, Launchpad set up a homeless veterans' cycle club in Liverpool and Rugby for Heroes run a coaching course for service leavers among many other wonderful charitable projects.

Following last year's application process, the BFBS Big Salute committee has awarded grants to five charities:

Broughton House – Veteran Care Village

The money will be used to buy a bandstand for the Veteran Care Village which will open in 2022. The state-of-the-art centre will provide residential care accommodation and mental wellbeing support to 150 veterans every year.

The bandstand will be the centrepiece for their opening ceremony and a focal point for veterans'’ entertainment for the next 100 years.

Watch: The moment Karen Miller, CEO of Broughton House, discovered the charity has been awarded a BFBS Big Salute grant.

Defence Medical Welfare Service

The grant will help to provide one year of welfare support to 175 Armed Forces community members across Nottinghamshire who are experiencing ill health or injury and need support in addition to their medical care.

Watch: The moment Siobonne Brewster, Grants Manager for the Defence Medical Welfare Service, discovers the charity has been awarded a BFBS Big Salute grant.

The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA)

The money will support the conversion of one bedroom at Rothbury House (a former RAF Association respite break facility) into a self-contained apartment, to empower older members of the RAF community to live out their later years independently, comfortably and safely.

Watch: The moment Jen Sandes, Trusts Officer at RAFA, finds out the charity has been awarded a BFBS Big Salute grant.

Veterans With Dogs

The grant will be used to hold two additional respite residential breaks for the charity's beneficiaries. Hosted in a safe environment, these breaks will provide partnership training and activities that improve life skills, as well as an opportunity to have fun.

They will also help to build networks and increase mental wellbeing leading to more independent living.

Watch: Chrissie MacLellan discovers the Veterans With Dogs charity has been awarded a BFBS Big Salute grant.

Scotty's Little Soldiers

As part of its 'Smiles' programme, the charity sends out personalised gifts and vouchers to 473 'Scotty's Members' (0-17 years) and 'Springboarders' (18-25 years) at key anniversaries throughout the year, including Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Remembrance and the anniversary of their parent's death. The money will be used towards the planning, purchase and delivery of these gifts and vouchers.

Nicky Ness, Director of Broadcasting & Entertainment, BFBS said: "In what has been another very difficult fundraising year for many charities, BFBS is pleased to be able to support these very worthy organisations.

"It's wonderful to see how they are planning to spend the money and further support our military community in such a variety of ways."

Be a part of the BFBS Big Salute

Each year the BFBS Big Salute committee meets to discuss the applications for the coming year. The committee members consider all applications on merit, impact and measurable outcomes and make the awards accordingly. The committee's decision is final.

Applications will be open to Armed Forces charities to apply for the next round of grants from 1 April 2022.