ABF South West

🤝🌎 Today is .

As the Army's national charity, we stand at the forefront of support for soldiers, former soldiers and their families.

In our last financial year, we helped 75,000 people in 51 countries worldwide, and funded 86 other charities and organisations that deliver frontline services.

Don't forget to book your tickets for the ABF80 Exeter Cathedral concert, Saturday14th September.
Doors open: 6.30pm
Concert starts: 7pm

Tickets available from: https://armybenevolentfund.org/events/exeter-cathedral-concert-2024/
or call Exeter Tickets 01392 665938, Link: https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/abf80-concert/

More details of our amazing performers:
Soprano Davina Hastings trained at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She studied with Rudolf Piernay and Linda Esther Gray. Davina has performed with The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in productions of ‘The Mikado’, ‘Pirates of Penzance’, ‘HMS Pinafore, and ‘Iothante’ at The Savoy Theatre and also on tour.

Cathedral Organist & Concert Pianist, Timothy Noon with more than thirty years’ experience as an organist and choir director in several British cathedrals, Timothy is currently Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral. He combines his daily work with the Cathedral’s choirs with a busy and varied freelance schedule.

Compère for the evening, the brilliant and talented David (Fitz) FitzGerald, Fitz started working in local radio in 1980, moved to TSW in 1986, the ITV television station for the South West as a programme presenter until 1993. He then moved around the ITV network producing and presenting television programmes. He made documentaries and series on diverse topics as such farming, The Red Arrows, and Devon & Cornwall Police, plus The Devon and Dorset Regiment in Northern Ireland and The Falklands.

“We decided to leave the ABF money in our Will because my father was in the Army and my mum’s brothers also served. Family connections are important to us, and so is loyalty to our country through the Armed Forces.” - Judith, West Yorkshire.

Leave a gift in your Will to enable us to be there for soldiers, for life. Find out more 👉 https://armybenevolentfund.org/gifts-in-wills/

To celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Army Benevolent Fund, we are giving away 2 x £25 tickets to ABF80, our concert at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 14th September!
To be in with a chance of winning tickets for this unforgettable evening, just like and share this post and comment below. We will pick a winner at random on Friday 6th September.
Good luck!

Registration for My Frontline Walk is now open! 🥳

A personal challenge where you can take part anywhere in the world and at your own pace using your phone or fitness tracker.

Cover 100km between during November, walk in their shoes, discovering local stories, delve into your family history and visit local memorials.

Do something memorable this autumn and support soldiers, veterans and their families.

Register for just £15 today 👉 https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/event/my-frontline-walk-2024/home

🦽 We are delighted to award a £30,000 grant to Revitalise, a charity providing fully accessible respite breaks for disabled adults.

Our donation will help fund relaxing breaks for former soldiers living with physical or mental health challenges, such as PTSD or injuries sustained in service.

Find out more ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/2rxzdwfa

We’re back at the Bournemouth Air Festival and the weather is much better than last year! If you’re around, come find us in the Army Village on the beach Near East Cliff.

🎂 This month, our charity celebrated 80 years of service to soldiers, former soldier and their families.

In this special podcast marking our 80th Anniversary, we look at the past, present and future of the Army Benevolent Fund, with guests including the charity’s Chief Executive, and three of our ambassadors.

Listen to the full episode ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/23shvn36

Centre Stage is one of the most successful theatre groups for young people in the South West.
The multi award-winning Performing Arts company has been producing musical entertainment in the heart of Devon since 1971.
We are delighted that Centre Stage Exmouth are joining us once again for ABF80 at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 14th September. They will be singing a selection of songs from Les Miserables and Pirates of Penzance.
Tickets £10-£35 available from Exeter Corn Exchange 01392 665938 or go to https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/ExeterCathedralConcert2024

🌳 Take a stroll through some of the most beautiful gardens this summer!

Plan your visit to one of the gardens provided by our partners at National Garden Scheme and enjoy a brilliant day out.

Find a garden near you ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/467m9ncc

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Army Benevolent Fund. To mark the occasion, and to help reach more people who may wish to support our vital work, we have produced a short appeal film presented by historian, broadcaster and ABF supporter– Dan Snow MBE.

Watch the film and find out more ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yfmrpz6f

🐶 Today is , and we would like to pay tribute to Army service dogs, which have supported soldiers throughout history, and help veterans and families get through tough times 🐶.

We are proud to support charities like Hounds for Heroes, Service Dogs UK and BRAVEHOUND with their assistance dogs programmes for Army veterans.

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Don’t forget to book your tickets for our 80th Anniversary concert ABF80, at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 14th September.
We are delighted that Elizabeth-Jane Baldry our very own West-country harpist and composer who performs internationally, will be playing some lovely pieces of music for us, such as Passacaille; by George Frideric Handel & Baroque Flamenco; by Deborah Henson-Conant.
Her uniquely rich tone on the harp has graced several film/TV sound-track screened in over 30 countries. Her compositions have been used by ITV, the BBC, and Irish, Japanese, Danish, and Canadian film, radio and television.
So come along and listen to this amazing performer.

Tickets available from: https://armybenevolentfund.org/events/exeter-cathedral-concert-2024/
Exeter Ticketing: https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/abf80-concert/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE2ia5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT9LtLG5GJERcIyV52PXJ-1_uINGfzVAMJqSqDjIqofg1loAbpXqeXxheA_aem_Hvuc1uuXse1gStcjP3BkrQ
Or scan the QR code on the poster

🎽 Only 4 charity spaces available for the Brighton Marathon 2025!

Take on one of UK's most iconic marathons next spring in aid of the Army's national charity.

Find out more about our support package and register ➡️ https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/event/brighton25/home

Grateful thanks to Tom & Terry with a good number of their regular patrons at The Barleycorn Inn, presented cheques to 5 of its nationally nominated charities after the 3-day D-Day 80 event that took place over the period of 6th – 8th June.

Each of the charities, whose representatives travelled from all over England to attend the lunch time presentation, gratefully received a donation of £1,509.99.

The Barleycorn Inn received a certificate of thanks on behalf of the residents of Collingbourne Kingston and is patrons which is now displayed, in pride of place, in the main bar.

The D-Day 80 Anniversary event, which took place over the 6th to the 8th of June, was held to commemorate the men and women of the British Armed Forces who fought and died in the D-Day landings, who gave their all, to ensure that we enjoy the life and freedoms that we have today.

Big shout out and Thank You to the 101 Force Support Battalion REME, team who completed the 4-day march at Nijmegen back in July.
Did you know this is the largest multiple-day marching event in the world, with tens of thousands of participants.
The team of 12 have so far raised the very impressive sum of £1,570.
To quote one of the team, ‘The event was amazing. Hard but amazing’. Their team was a mix of regular and reserve soldiers, from Lance Corporal to Warrant Officer.
There is still time to donate via https://www.justgiving.com/page/101remenm24

We are offering a limited number of exclusive VIP tickets to a VIP reception at Exeter Historic Guildhall prior to ABF80, our concert on Saturday 14th September at Exeter Cathedral to celebrate 80 years of the Army Benevolent Fund.
This ticket includes entry to our exclusive VIP reception at the Guildhall, High Street, Exeter, a glass of bubbly and canapes, a Premier reserved seat in the cathedral nave and a programme for the evening.
Exeter Guildhall has been the centre of civic government for the city for at least 800 years. The building is mostly medieval and it is a grade 1 listed building.
For your exclusive VIP tickets please call 01392 342787 or email [email protected]

🎺🎶 Enjoy a delightful evening of musical performance at our Exeter Cathedral Concert.

On Saturday 14th September, we welcome our supporters to our annual concert at the Exeter Cathedral in support of the Army family. 💂

Tickets starts from just £10. Book today ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/dzw7rwbk

Today Maddi, (Tiverton Detachment, Devon ACF) is collecting for the charity at the Tesco stores, Crediton. Crediton Community Noticeboard
So why not pop down and say hello and if you can name the Dinosaurs, it's your opportunity to win one.
Ben, Tesco community champion will draw the winner at 3pm.

We are delighted that Exeter Symphony Orchestra are playing for us once again at ABF80, our concert celebrating 80 years of the Army Benevolent Fund.
ESO members are involved in choosing and developing the musical programme for each year, which they hope is a balance between true and popular classics with more modern and perhaps lesser known pieces.

The orchestra is composed of people with very different musical backgrounds and interests, who simply enjoy the fun and camaraderie of playing in the ensemble. They do, though, all have in common a true love of ESO combined with a genuine desire to see the orchestra excel in its performances, reach out to the City and play a significant part in the culture and life of Devon’s capital.

You can hear these wonderful musicians on Saturday 14th September in Exeter Cathedral https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/whats-on/events/army-benevolent-fund-concert/
Tickets are available from: https://armybenevolentfund.org/events/exeter-cathedral-concert-2024/
or https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/abf80-concert/

or scan the QR code on the poster!

We are delighted to award a grant £10,000 to Change Mental Health, a charity that provides non-clinical, person-centred support to people affected by mental illness.

Our donation will provide funding towards its Veterans Community Café project improving the mental health and wellbeing of military veterans.

Find out more ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/4ts79cw4

Room to Reward - Registered Charity provide well deserved recognition to people who do great things in our communities. Christopher Child hosts a charity bookstall on Saturdays in Salisbury marketplace. The Army Benevolent Fund being one of the many grateful recipients of funds raised ££. Not only does it mean thousands of books 📚 are recycled ♻️ each year, but we have witnessed firsthand the impact Chris and his team have made socially for many of Wiltshire’s lonelier residents. Congratulations 👏, thank you ☺️and well-deserved Christopher. Pictured this morning receiving the award we had the pleasure of nominating him for.

in 1945, Victory over Japan Day was declared, bringing an end to World War Two.

An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth died in the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity.

Named Fourteenth Army, it was sometimes referred to as the "Forgotten Amy" because its operations in the Burma Campaign were overlooked by the contemporary press. Commanded by General William “Bill” Slim, it was one of the most diverse Armies in history and it was estimated at least 40 languages were spoken.

Today, we remember the incredible perseverance and bravery which brought home victory, both by the British and Commonwealth troops.

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Special thanks to the Royal Irish Rangers Veterans Association who presented us with £1000 following a St Patrick's Day golf event and quiz night at West Wilts Golf Club. A wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new ones and remember a wonderful man.
Faugh a Ballagh!

On this day in October 2009 Corporal Andy Reid was on patrol in Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment. His life changed forever when he stood on a pressure plate IED.

As a result of the explosion, Andy lost his right leg below the knee, left leg above the knee, and right arm. Despite sustaining serious injuries, he astounded people with his recovery by spending only two weeks in hospital before he was ready to make his first trip home.

Our charity has supported Andy at various points over the years, and in turn he has become a passionate fundraiser for our charity. This year we have nominated Andy for the Inspiration Award at the Soldiering On Awards and are thrilled that he has made it to the finals.

Vote for Andy here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/mtt6dhyf

Come and join us on Saturday 14th September for ABF80, our concert to celebrate 80 years of the Army Benevolent Fund.
The Exeter Symphony Orchestra and harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry will be joined by other talented performers for what promises to be an unforgettable evening compered by David (Fitz), Fitzgerald.
For tickets call Exeter Tickets on 01392 665866 https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/whats-on/abf80-concert/
or go to the QR code.
Hope to see you there!

A Team of 10 serving soldiers from 9 Regiment RLC are continuing their attempt to run, walk, jog or tab 900km from 1st -9th August.
Can you help them with their fundraising for this fantastic feat?
If so, you can donate below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-army-benelovent-fund?attribution_id=sl:09614351-b51a-433a-a8aa-eed50c0a6c42&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Thanks for your amazing effort Team!

Donate to Helping and Supporting Army Benevolent Fund Charity, organized by Amit Shrestha A team of 10 from 9 RLC Regt RAO Detachment will be taking part i… Amit Shrestha needs your support for Helping and Supporting Army Benevolent Fund Charity

Our annual Michaelmas Fair at Powderham Castle is on Thursday 7th November this year! Please join us at the magnificent home of the Earl of Devon for some early Christmas shopping!
Tickets £3.50 in advance or £5 on the door available from Exeter Tickets on 01392 265866 or online https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/MichaelmasFair2024