96th Annual Review April 2015-March 2016 1 We Are Not Forgotten Some of the many we have helped Marianna Mitchell Martin Wilson Matt Delaney Cyril Banks Marianna Mitchell (née Proietti) served with Martin Wilson was serving with 2 Para Matt Delaney suffered a multiple leg fracture Cyril Banks joined the Royal Navy in 1943. the Royal Army Medical Corps in the Gulf War in Afghanistan in 2011 when his sniper and ankle injury whilst serving with the His fi rst months at sea were spent in the harsh where she was held as a casualty in an Iraqi platoon came under fi re. He was shot in Grenadier Guards in Northern Ireland in 1990. Arctic convoys and on North Sea patrols, POW hospital. She still suffers from PTSD, the head, suffering severe injuries and was Complications led to infection, nerve damage before his ship was deployed to sweep mines knee problems and other injuries as a result of immediately repatriated to the UK, regaining and his medical discharge. Matt began a new prior to the Normandy landings. On D-Day her experiences. consciousness three days later. career in the health sector despite continuing Cyril was in the mine clearing fl otilla off Gold to suffer from his injuries. In 2009 his doctors Beach: “We saw bodies fl oating in the water. Since Marianna was nominated by her War His injuries resulted in the loss of basic recommended a below-the-knee amputation, The horrendous things that were happening Pensions Welfare Offi cer to attend one of communication and co-ordination skills: he but Matt managed to get funding for a will live in my mind for ever.” Later Cyril our Christmas lunches several years ago, was no longer able to speak, read or write. state-of-the-art exoskeleton and rehabilitation took part in operations in the Far East. In she has attended various outings, holidays With treatment Martin slowly regained these package from his regimental charity which 2013 he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur and Royal events. Her physical and mental functions, although he continues to struggle. also put him in contact with the NFA. in recognition of his involvement in the health have slowly improved so that she is Martin fi rst attended an NFA event when he liberation of France. now able to take part in more demanding was still unable to talk. Since then he has Over the last year Matt has taken part in our activities. In the last year she has represented taken part in a number of our activity trips Malta battlefi eld tour, a recuperation holiday Since the NFA fi rst met him in 1999, Cyril has The Not Forgotten Association at fundraising and other events, gradually gaining self- in Majorca and has marched at the Cenotaph become a hugely popular guest at our events, events and given talks about our work - even confi dence and improving his communication - a huge personal achievement for him. He offering encouragement and support to speaking to an audience of more than 600 skills. has now returned to his career after fi ve years veterans of all ages. He is a great ambassador people! and has embarked on a series of walking for the Association and even at the age of Martin now helps to raise money for the challenges to raise funds for the NFA with his 91 continues to raise money for the charity, “For years I felt alone in my battle with my charity, taking part in the 2015 New York wife Michaela. collecting at railway stations and Stansted illnesses. The NFA means that you are not Marathon and signing up for the Marathon Airport and arranging fundraising concerts. forgotten, whether you are still serving or a des Sables in 2017. He has also spoken in “The Not Forgotten has offered me real veteran. Being able to chat about your memories public on several occasions. opportunities. I have re-found my pride, in turn “I never thought retirement could be so and thoughts of campaigns and wars with other fi nding the confi dence and determination to full of life. The NFA has given me so many veterans, both young and old, who understand “When I was discharged I felt I was on the move forward and challenge myself. Not only opportunities to meet other veterans, young and your situation, helps you to relax. You are bottom of the scrapheap as before I was injured has the NFA had a positive effect on me, but old. I’m grateful I can still do my bit to help them treated as a friend not a stranger, you are always I loved my job. The NFA allowed me to meet more importantly my marriage, changing both offer all these wonderful things.” made to feel welcome and that you are not comrades, gave me challenges to aim for and our lives.” alone - and as a female veteran it sometimes showed that life is still there to enjoy. It has given does feel very lonely.” me a purpose and is a very special charity.” 2 From Comradeship To Challenge The Not Forgotten Association 2015-16 3 How We Help All ages, all campaigns, all services Improving health and wellbeing those who may be struggling with their own Some of our activities provide a physical recovery. challenge and the opportunity to develop self-confi dence, others are of a more social Spending time relaxing in each other’s nature aimed at fostering camaraderie and company in a safe, familiar environment also friendship between like-minded people who helps to strengthen the sense of pride in their individual achievements and reduces feelings of isolation and of not being valued. We invite partners of injured service men and women to events when we believe it will be benefi cial. This enables them to meet and support others in similar circumstances and to Our team before beginning the climb of Mount Kilimanjaro feel that their own sacrifi ces are appreciated. Taking part in some of our activities gives We support any serving man or woman Identifying the need them renewed determination and confi dence who is wounded, injured or sick and any When organising each event we work closely to deal with the challenges facing their veteran, of any age, with a disability, with regimental and military associations, partner. illness or infi rmity; whatever the cause. veterans’ organisations, other service Any serving or former member of the charities, rehabilitation centres and Personnel Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army, Recovery Units, inviting them to identify those the Royal Air Force and the Merchant eligible benefi ciaries who are in greatest need Alan Kendell and Cyril Banks enjoying the Navy, both Regular and Reserve Forces, and therefore most likely to benefi t from the Christmas lunch in Cambridge may be eligible for our help. activity selected. We are immensely grateful to them for their co-operation. understand each other’s experiences; many Through our busy and varied programme will offer both challenge and comradeship. of Royal parties, holidays, entertainment Many of the younger men and women injured All are intended to enhance wellbeing, and outings, we directly assist some 10,000 in recent military operations continue to need restore confi dence, boost morale and provide individuals each year across the UK. Activities our support. We also take care to ensure that happiness, giving people something to which are carefully tailored to the individual needs those from previous wars and campaigns they can look forward. of benefi ciaries of different ages, service remain included, particularly as the passage of experiences, personal circumstances and time reduces the numbers of older veterans Bringing together serving and ex-service men degree of physical or mental injury or who are able to attend our events. and women in an atmosphere of mutual trust disability. In providing this unique specialist and respect helps to replicate the fellowship service to the tri-service community our aim We aim to offer the appropriate support both and banter of Forces life. Benefi ciaries share is to complement the work of other service to those who are in permanent need and their experiences of service, injury and charities. those whose needs change over time. The rehabilitation whilst providing support and WAAF Association members Vera Morgan majority of benefi ciaries at any event will not advice to each other. The realisation that they and Mary Heal on our Ypres battlefi eld tour have participated in our activities before. are not alone in their situation can encourage 4 From Comradeship To Challenge The Not Forgotten Association 2015-16 5 Report From The Chairman Another year brightening the lives of so many people David Cowley We were honoured and privileged by the all have much to contribute to the charity presence of our Patron HRH The Princess from the medical, legal and military worlds. Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence at our fl agship event, the Garden Party at As memories of the recent confl icts in Buckingham Palace where we entertained Iraq and Afghanistan begin to fade, the nearly 2,000 veterans of all ages and their importance of continuing to care for those escorts. As always our Royal guests spoke to who were injured in either body or mind many of our benefi ciaries with great interest grows even greater, whilst the needs of those and brought great pleasure. Our Christmas injured in previous confl icts, or who suffer Party at St. James’s Palace was attended by disability, increase each year. This is what TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex who makes our work so vital and why we are joined every table during the afternoon and very grateful to those trusts, individuals and added so much to the Christmas cheer.