ABF Wales

Today, The Telegraph launches its Christmas Charity Appeal 2024 and we are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the charities.

Major General (Ret’d) Tim Hyams, Chief Executive, Army Benevolent Fund, says:

“The Army Benevolent Fund is 80 this year, sharing its anniversary with D-Day, and we are delighted to be included in the Telegraph’s Christmas Appeal. The money and awareness raised will enable us to provide essential support for soldiers, former soldiers, and their families, affording them the opportunity to avoid hardship and live with independence and dignity.”

Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/mpw4dyx9

The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2024: Who we are supporting and how you can donate This year we’re supporting four charities: Teenage Cancer Trust, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Army Benevolent Fund and Humanity & Inclusion

🎉 Celebrate St. David’s Day with an Unmissable Concert at St Davids Cathedral! 🎉

Join us for an extraordinary evening at the historic St Davids Cathedral, featuring a live performance by the Band of the Welsh Guards. Experience the spirit of Wales as the band brings traditional Welsh music and modern favorites to life, filling the cathedral with the stirring sounds of brass and percussion.

📅 Date: Friday, 28 February 2025
📍 Location: St Davids Cathedral
⏰ Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm; concert begins at 7:30 pm
🎶 Performance Schedule: Two 40-minute sets with a brief intermission

💸 Admission: This is a free event, but tickets are required. Optional donations are welcomed upon registration, with proceeds benefiting the Army Benevolent Fund and St Davids Cathedral. Your contributions will directly support soldiers, veterans, their families, and the cathedral’s preservation.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages Welcome

♿ Accessibility: St Davids Cathedral is accessible from Merrivale car park, with a smoother slope. For on-site parking or drop-off at the South Porch, please contact the Deanery Office (01437 720202 or [email protected]). Accessibility features include wheelchair availability, accessible toilets, a loop system, and designated parking (book in advance with the Deanery Office).

📢 Reserve Your Tickets Today: [Click here to register https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/StDavidsDayconcertwithTheBandoftheWelshGuards2025 and join us in this special celebration, supporting two meaningful causes. We can’t wait to see you there!

Army in Wales Welsh Guards 157 Regiment RLC 203 Multirole Medical Regiment 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards

📢 FREE DELIVERY on our sustainable range this weekend!

Make the most of this offer to treat yourself or bag the perfect gift for those you love. Includes our fantastic Christmas range for kids and adults!

Shop today before offer ends ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/55db6udp

🥾 It's time to lace up your walking shoes - My Frontline Walk starts today!

This November, cover 100km for those who fought and fell in both World Wars whilst raising vital funds for soldiers, veterans and their families.

There is still time to sign up for only £5! ➡️ https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/event/my-frontline-walk/

⏰ Only a few places remaining for the Brighton Marathon in April 2025!

Enjoy a gorgeous seaside run, a massive sense of achievement and, most importantly, pride in knowing that you have done your part to support the Army family!

Sign up today ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/mwhu2efn

📣 Join Us for Breakfast! 🍳🥓

The LINKS Llanelli Breakfast Club is happening on Thursday, 2nd November, and we'd love to welcome our Armed Forces community to join us! Whether you're serving, a veteran, or a family member, come along for a hearty breakfast and connect with others.

📍 Where: Links Llanelli
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Who: Open to the Armed Forces community – all are welcome!

Looking forward to a morning of good food, good company, and great conversation. See you there! 😊

Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs

This week's funder spotlight is National Garden Scheme. 🌱

Our long-standing partnership has helped members of the Army family through horticultural therapy and training, outdoor activities, and access to green space.

This funding has enabled us to to support a wide variety of projects devoted to helping members of the Army community. These include grants to partner charities such as HighGround and Veterans’ Growth.

⭐☃️Only 8 weeks to go until Christmas day!

Now is the perfect time to hunt for the perfect gifts and tick off the wish list. Shop from our wide range of curated Army-themed products including clothing, books, homeware, toys and much more!⁠
⁠
Shop today ➡️ https://abfshop.org/collections/all-christmas

🎄🎅 Join Us for the Veterans' Christmas Fair in Pontypridd!🎅🎄

We’re excited to invite you to the Veterans' Christmas Fair hosted by Guardians for Heroes! Bring your family and friends along for a festive day of Christmas cheer, all in support of our veterans and their families.

🗓 Date: 23rd November 2024
📍 Location: Unit 36, Treforest Industrial Estate, CF37 5UR
⏰ Time: 12pm - 4pm

🎁 What’s On:
🎅 Meet Father Christmas
🍷 Enjoy a warm mulled wine & traditional mince pies
🛍 Browse our craft stalls for unique Christmas gifts
🌟 Seasonal treats & plenty of festive fun

Pop along for a fantastic day of shopping, treats, and community spirit, with all proceeds supporting veterans through Guardians for Heroes. Let’s make this Christmas one to remember! 🎁❤️

We can’t wait to see you there!

📢 Special offer - registration is now only £5!

There is still time to register for My Frontline Walk and take on 100km this November, walking in the footsteps of those who fought for our future.

Don't miss out! Find out more and register today ➡️ https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/event/my-frontline-walk/

🌊 This December, four Army officers will row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic for ABF.

The Oarsome Army Educators , formed of Dec Lynn, Jess Hunter, Gian-Luc Angiolini, and Graham Doyle, are taking on an incredible challenge where they will navigate busy shipping lanes and 30-foot waves.

Donate here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yzbub5df

In the past year, we have supported around 75,000 members of the Army family in 51 countries via our individual grants programme and by providing essential funding 86 other charities and organisations.

📢 Calling all cyclists! Are you ready to take on our biggest challenge in 2025?

The Road to Berlin is a charity ride commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, taking you 500 miles through Holland and Germany to Berlin over the course of 9 days.

Visit key historical sites along the way whilst you raise money for soldiers, veterans and their families.

Sign up today ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/4c9rr7sf

Our Annual Review 2023-24 is now here.

With your support, we reached 75,000 members of the Army family in the last financial year.

To find out more about our impact on soldiers, veterans and their families, read or download the review here 👉 https://tinyurl.com/ynz4e4mv

🧸📚 Half term is coming up...explore our top picks for kids!

Keep young minds busy with our new range of Army-themed toys and books.

Shop today ➡️ https://abfshop.org/collections/kids

in 1942 the Battle of El Alamein began, one of the decisive turning points of World War Two. British Eighth Army and Commonwealth forces, commanded by General Bernard Montgomery, launched an air bombardment and ground attack against the German Afrika Korps and Italian forces under Erwin Rommel, the ‘Desert Fox’.

The battle lasted until 4 November and enabled the Allies to reconquer Libya and Tunisia, and later invade Italy in 1943. We remember the British Eighth Army and Commonwealth soldiers who fought and died in the desert campaign.

In honour of we share the story of Private Moses Mbugua Muiru, a 100 year-old Army veteran from Kenya.

Moses served with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers between 1942-1949. After basic training and trade training in Kenya, his first service was in Burma, part of the 14th Army. Later, Moses saw service in Ceylon and then part of East African Command in British Somalia. Moses remembers being proud his personal kit was always in good order and being ready to do his job. Moses’ service was recognised by award of the British War Medal and Burma Star campaign medal.

Today, Moses depends on a welfare grant from the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, which we are proud to support with our funding. This grant helps him purchase a healthy daily diet.

💂❤️ Supporting the Army family is at the heart of what we do.

This Christmas, you can help us be there for soldiers, veterans and their families by shopping with us.

Explore our 'Made by the Army Family' collection, including exclusive sets that are perfect for gifting!

Shop today ➡️ https://abfshop.org/collections/veteran-made

🥾 If you were to walk 100km, who would it be for?

This November, do something incredible and mark the Month of Remembrance.

Sign up anywhere in the world and walk the distance at your own pace whilst uncovering fascinating history of those who fought in WWI and WWII.

Register today ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/mtsa7fw6

The Army Benevolent Fund is saddened to hear of the death of General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, who served the Army and its national charity with such distinction.

Tim Hyams, Chief Executive of the Army Benevolent Fund, said:

“General Mike combined strategic vision, a genuine grasp of the operational art, and the ability to make all ranks feel at home in his company. He cared deeply for his soldiers; as they did for him. His profoundly important contribution to the ABF, as its President, was an extension of his lifetime of dedicated service to the Army and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lady Sarah and the family at this most difficult of times.”

On we share the story of Leon, whose bursary we have funded through Heritage Crafts.

Leon left the Army in 2023 having served 24 years in the Coldstream Guards, where he was deployed operationally to Iraq and Afghanistan.

With the help from Heritage Crafts, Leon will spend time working alongside a local skilled dry stone waller and achieve the Dry Stone Walling Association Level 3 certification. His goal is to become a master craftsman and instructor.

📸: Heritage Crafts

🏉 We’re thrilled to join the Ospreys in their celebration of the Armed Forces at the upcoming game against Edinburgh Rugby at Dunraven Brewery Field. With both the British Army & Royal Navy in attendance, it promises to be a fantastic event honoring those who serve.

🪖 Armed Forces Day
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship
📅 26th October
🕒 3pm Kick-off

Get your tickets now: bit.ly/EdinBrewery 🎟️
Season members, remember to claim your free tickets!

Join us as we come together to show our support for the Armed Forces.

Army in Wales The Royal Welsh Welsh Guards 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards 157 Regiment RLC 203 Multirole Medical Regiment

Next up at home: Edinburgh Rugby at the Dunraven Brewery Field 🏉

Join us to celebrate the Armed Forces, with the Army & Navy in attendance.

🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship
🪖 Armed Forces Day
📅 26th October
🕒 3pm kick off

Get your tickets now: bit.ly/EdinBrewery 🎟️

Season members must claim their free tickets.

🏘️We are delighted to award a grant of £30,000 to Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR).

These finds will help towards the cost of replacing two lifts, increasing the accessibility for Army veterans at SVR's Edinburgh site.

Find out more ➡️https://tinyurl.com/mr7ytz9y