Latest news with #SSAFA
Scotsman
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
‘Cash4Clubs' charity grant saves Stirling-based ex-Armed Forces veterans curling club from folding
Stirling-based SSAFA Curling Club is the latest of 200 clubs from across the UK and Ireland to receive a £2,000 grant in this year's Cash4Cub funding round. The club – which is part of SSAFA, a charity which supports Armed Forces veterans – will use the injection of funds from the £2,000 grant to secure the future of the team by allowing it to hire its rink for matches. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Organisers of the SSAFA Curling team – that plays at the Park Ice Centre in Stirling – say the essential funding will help the club to continue hosting training and matches for players who have noted the significant social outlet the club also brings to their lives. To some members it gives them a 'real sense of purpose'. Club secretary Ian McAllister said: 'Curling is a great game and brings so much happiness to our members. Without this Cash4Club grant we wouldn't have been able to continue.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The SSAFA is an Armed Forces charity – also known as the Soldiers, Sailors and Airman's Families Association – which helps veterans and their loved ones all over the UK 'It has been so essential that it has stopped us from folding the team.' 'This injection of cash gives us a huge lifeline and goes a long way to helping cover our venue costs of £3,000 each season.' The club, which was set up in 2021, used to meet twice a week at The Park – home of the Scottish National Curling Academy. However, the large overheads of playing the sport have forced them into reducing their games to just once a week. Stirling-based SSAFA Veterans Curling Club secured essential funding for hire of a specialised ice rink for their training sessions and matches, which organisers say: 'prevented the team from closure' Ian added: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We have a group of former members of the armed forces who also bring their partners on occasions.' 'The value they get out of playing curling is huge. It's a wonderful game, played on the ice and requires a good sense of judgment and touch. It gives our group a real community, things to enjoy each week and often a sense of purpose.' Not only has the grant helped the club stay afloat, the team also now hopes to bring in another group of players from the SSAFA in Glasgow. The SSAFA is an Armed Forces charity – also known as the Soldiers, Sailors and Airman's Families Association – which helps veterans and their loved ones all over the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since the Cash4Clubs initiative was launched in 2008, nearly £6.5 million has been invested into community sports by Flutter UKI through its brands, which include Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming PokerStars and tombola. Last year, over 40,000 people across 50 different sports benefitted from the Cash4Clubs fund. Almost 85% of those clubs funded were from lower socio-economic groups. Other clubs in Scotland to have received vital grants from the Flutter Cash4Clubs funding initiative include Southside Boxing Academy & Community Hub CIC in Glasgow, Athena Glasgow Women & Girls Football Academy, North Ayrshire Tandem Cycling, Men Matter Scotland, Scottish Powerchair Football Association and Invergordon Boating Club to name just a few. Kevin Harrington, Chief Executive of Flutter UKI, said: 'The Cash4Clubs initiative is a key part of our group's global commitment to improve the lives of 10 million people in the communities where we operate by 2030 as part of our Positive Impact Plan. Community clubs are the bedrock of sport in the UK and Ireland, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help these smaller organisations continue to make a big difference to people's lives.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Last year we doubled our funding from £200,000 to £400,000 after receiving so many applications. The number of clubs needing financial assistance continues to grow, which indicates the real value these grants have for local grassroots organisations, many of which are existing on a shoestring.' Sported's head of marketing Mark Woods said: "More than 700 clubs from across the UK and Ireland, spanning a massive variety of sports, submitted applications for the scheme and our priority was to support recipients delivering real impacts into their communities. So many of these groups are addressing barriers to participation to ensure that no-one is excluded from sport and physical activity due to financial, societal or physical challenges.' 'But we know every penny is precious in what they do. The funds provided through Cash4Clubs underline the huge impact which even a modest grant can have on these organisations, and it will make a difference to the people they serve."
BBC News
28-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
People in West Yorkshire set to mark Armed Forces Day 2025
Veterans and family members of those who have served in the military say it's "important to celebrate" those who have given their service. Armed Forces Day is held on the last Saturday of June as a "chance to say thank you to the brave men and women who have pledged to defend our nation," SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, gathered at the Veterans' Café event at Ghyll Royd Care Home, Guiseley, on Wednesday to chat over cake and tea and mark Armed Forces Week. Mark Sugrue, from Ilkley, who attended the event, said it was an opportunity to share his experiences of serving with the Royal Air Force Police. More than 180 events are taking place across the UK this year, according to the Ministry of Defence. Mr Sugrue said: "I've been sent out to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Rio De Janeiro, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore, so it was a good time."Thinking back, certainly there were high points and quite a few low points, but they are outweighed by the high points and camaraderie."He added: "We always say, it is not where you are, but who you are with that matters."Colour Sgt Rosie Clarke, from the Keighley Royal Marine cadets, said she enjoyed chatting to "a lovely bunch of ladies" who spoke about their experiences of taking in evacuees during World War Two."We went down memory lane of how my grandad, who served in North Africa and Burma, never collected his war medals," she said."I started the cadets when I was 12 and on my first Remembrance Day my grandma had his medals delivered as a present for me."She continued: "I had the privilege of wearing his medals on my first Remembrance Day." "I think it's important we celebrate Armed Forces Day as it commemorates all of those who are old and young who have served over the years," she Young, operations manager for Spellman Care, who are hosting Veterans' Café events around West Yorkshire, said the event was a "great opportunity to bring everybody together". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Stirling pupils earn £3000 for Armed Forces charity
Bannockburn High School's young people handed over cheque to the Forth Valley branch of SSAFA after an impressive presentation at a competition. A team of six pupils from Bannockburn High School have secured a £3,000 donation for its local branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. The team won the school's Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Project final with a powerful and moving presentation on the charity's work. The students, who each chose SSAFA individually as the charity they wished to champion and were then formed into a single group, researched, created, and choreographed a deeply thoughtful presentation that impressed the judging panel and won top prize at the recent school final. The YPI empowers secondary school pupils to engage with social issues and advocate on behalf of charities they feel passionate about. Each school's winning team secures a £3,000 grant for its chosen charity. In this case the £3,000 will go to the Forth Valley Branch of SSAFA, helping the branch to continue its vital work supporting local members of the Armed Forces community, whether serving or retired, Reserves or Regulars, regardless of rank or regiment, ship or squadron. Ian McAlister, Branch Chair of Forth Valley who attended, said: 'It was a real pleasure to see how much effort and understanding the students brought to the project and I thoroughly enjoyed engaging with them as they prepared their presentation for the final. 'The pride they took in presenting SSAFA's story was heart-warming. It means so much to us that a younger generation not only took the time to learn about our work, but chose to advocate for it with such energy and empathy.' One of the winning group, Kenzie McLeod, said during the presentation: 'SSAFA is a charity that has directly supported families within our school community. 'Because my uncle was in the Army, this project felt personal to me. I can say that SSAFA supported my relative after a serious battlefield injury left him reliant on a cane. We all learned so much and felt proud knowing we were helping to make a difference.' Ian added: 'This is a great opportunity to build lasting relationships and raise awareness of SSAFA's mission among young people. We're excited to see what can grow from this success.' SSAFA has been supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families for 140 years. Those in the Stirling, Falkirk, and Clackmannanshire area who are interested in volunteering or fundraising for the charity, or who wish to get support from it, can search online for 'SSAFA Forth Valley' or call 0141 488 8552.
Glasgow Times
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow couple to abseil 30m down Kelpies for SSAFA
Carol and Charles Diaper, from St George's Cross in Glasgow, will climb the inside of one of the Kelpies before abseiling down the 30-metre-high sculpture on June 27, as part of the SSAFA Kelpie Experience. The event raises funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. It offers participants a guided aerial climb up the world's largest equine sculptures, with the option to descend via a free-hanging abseil or "Quick Flight" rope drop. Carol and Charles will climb and abseil the Kelpies to raise money for charity (Image: Supplied) Read more: Glaswegians urged to 'light up the longest day' and help feed hungry children Carol, a professional trumpeter, said: "We both feel passionate about supporting the people who serve in the Armed Forces, both home and abroad. "SSAFA does such good work with serving personnel, veterans, and their families, so when we saw the Kelpie event, we thought this was the perfect way of challenging ourselves whilst also raising vital funds for the charity." This challenge marks yet another adventure for the brave couple who are both PADI Rescue Divers. Carol recently completed her 500th dive in Fiji last year and has raised more than £50,000 for charity through fire walks, freefall parachuting, Everest Base Camp treks, and a 500km cycle ride in China. The adventurous couple are both PADI rescue divers (Image: Supplied) The couple's choice to raise funds for the Armed Forces is tied to their personal links to the organisation. Charles's uncle served as a Group Captain in the RAF and was Commandant of the now-closed Headley Court rehabilitation hospital. The couple also have a close friend who is an engineer in the Royal Navy. To support Carol and Charles' fundraising, visit The Kelpies Experience takes participants into the horse's mouth via cables, ladders, and suspended platforms. Designed for families, schools, and children aged ten and above (with under 17s accompanied by an adult), the event places a strong emphasis on safety. All climbers will be securely attached to a safety cable throughout and supported by professional guides. The couple are keen to raise funds for SSAFA due to their personal links to the armed forces (Image: Supplied) Read more: 'We never knew when she'd have a seizure': Mum on raising child with rare condition Carol said: "To anyone thinking about doing the challenge, I would say, just be brave. "It's an amazing feeling to challenge yourself both physically and mentally. "I know we'll both be a bit nervous from the heights, but that's what all the safety systems and guides are for. "The best feeling is knowing that all the money raised will go towards people who serve our country." The Kelpie Experience will take place on June 21 and again during Armed Forces Week on June 27. Individual registration costs £50, while a family of four (two adults and two children) can take part for £70, with a fundraising target of £250.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spitfires, parachutists and cavalry at palace's nostalgia event
Staff at stately home Blenheim Palace are getting ready to stage the annual Battle Proms next month. Each year, the Woodstock visitor attraction hosts the military nostalgia event. The Battle Proms takes place overlooking the Column of Victory in the palace grounds, which include 2,100 acres of formal gardens and 'Capability' Brown-landscaped parkland. READ MORE: Heatwave coming to Oxfordshire This year's Proms will take place on Saturday, July 5. (Image: Blenheim Palace) The Battle Proms Concerts are the longest running picnic proms series in the UK, attracting about 30,000 visitors a year since the first concert in 1997. Proms concerts are also held at Burghley House, Peterborough, Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire, and Highclere Castle, Hampshire. At Blenheim, gates will open at 4.30pm, and there will be a cavalry display at 6.15pm, followed by a parachute display from The Red Devils at 6.45pm. There will be an evening gun salute featuring more than 200 cannons at 7.55pm, followed by a Spitfire display at 8pm. (Image: Oxford Mail) The musical programme runs from 8pm to 10.30pm and there will be a fireworks finale. Entry to the palace and gardens is not included in the Battle Proms ticket, but Battle Proms ticket holders can purchase palace entry with an exclusive 30% discount if they plan to visit the palace during the day. The website says: "Widely regarded as the most exciting summer proms concert in the country, the Battle Proms is a firmly established favourite that thousands of fans return to year after year. "Pack up a picnic, stock up on fizz and join the party; whether you're planning a romantic evening as a couple, a celebration as a group, or want to enjoy an informal concert as a family then this could be the unique experience you have been looking for." The event will support armed forces charity SSAFA. SSAFA said in a statement: "A full programme of unforgettable entertainment will ensure your evening goes off with a bang. "You will enjoy daring cavalry performances, hair-raising parachute displays and hear the unmistakable rumble of the Spitfire as it flies overhead and if that's not enough, this perfect summer evening will conclude with a ground shaking firework and cannon display as the orchestra perform Beethoven's 'Battle Symphony'. "Whether you're planning a romantic evening as a couple, a group celebration, or want to enjoy a fun filled day out as a family, this could be the unique experience you've been looking for." Assistance dogs are the only dogs that are permitted at the event. Blenheim Palace annual pass holders are entitled to a 10 per cent discount on standard advance adult and child tickets.
