2nd July 2012

London Church Collection raises £290 for Alabare’s armed forces’ veterans

Alabaré’s befriending and mentoring service for veterans has received a boost of nearly £290 thanks to a London church service to celebrate Armed Forces Week.

The funds (£287.60) were raised at A Day of Prayer for the Armed Forces held at St Augustine’s in Queen’s Gate which was organised by the Armed Forces’ Christian Union.   The money has been donated to Alabaré’s befriending and mentoring service for veterans in the charity’s homes which continues after they progress to independent accommodation, ensuring constant support and friendship. 

We are extremely grateful for everybody involved in the prayer day and for their generosity in supporting our veterans’ befriending and mentoring service.

The day comprised three services and themes of prayer with many of the congregation having strong military connections. Addresses were given on the theme of Revival by the Rev’d Mike Meachin RN, Redemption by Rev’d John Bridges RN, Reconciliation by Rev’d Janice Honey RN all from HMS Collingwood with Resolution delivered by the Rev’d Scott Brown QH CBD, Chaplain of the Fleet.  Pastoral Worker Miss Susie Templeton from HMS Sultan’s theme was Restoration.

Dawn Foster and Ernie Grendall from Alabaré joined the congregation, put on a display of our work with armed forces veterans and explained the support and care which is available from Alabaré including the befriending and mentoring service.  It is co-ordinated by our volunteer, Commodore Tony Penny from Salisbury who recently retired from the Royal Navy after 35 years’ service.

Alabaré has veterans’ homes in Bristol, Weymouth, Salisbury, the Portsmouth area and Plymouth and has aims to become a major national provider with homes being planned Gloucester, Wales and the north east.  Veterans need not have seen active service to benefit from our support and accommodation and do not need to have been injured.  Since 2009 we have supported over 110 veterans and their families, enabling 23 in the past year to move on to independence and cope with the challenges of civilian life.