The 'Army Benevolent Fund' (ABF) is the Army's national charity for soldiers, past and present, and their families for life. Standing at the forefront of support for the Army family, last year, supporting 75,000 people in 51 countries around the world. As one of the largest funders in the sector, they award grants to individuals and families and fund leading organisations that support soldiers, former soldiers, and their families. When they hear of a person or family in need, they aim to respond within 48 hours.
The ABF is a single-service charity, whereas the Royal British Legion is a tri-service charity. Non-serving personnel would generally be supported by SSAFA, which supports former service personnel when they move to "Civvy Street" and provides help for military families, older Veterans and those with disabilities, both Mental and Physical.
With a national income of around £8 Million a year, the ABF directs grants to other charities that can support service families better, for instance, the provision of specialist equipment in homes and assisted mobility requirements.
Devonshire Freemasonry, like the United Grand Lodge of England, has a strong Armed Forces background throughout its one hundred and twenty-seven Lodges.
Timothy Golder, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, said:
"It was a privilege to meet representatives of the Army Benevolent Fund and to hear about the crucial work carried out to help our service men and women. Devonshire Freemasons can be certain that their support is greatly appreciated".
Philip Hutchens, Events Exec at ABF, said:
On behalf of The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), I would like to thank you and the Province of
Devonshire for the very generous donation of £2,000 to assist us in funding the excellent and necessary services we provide to our military community within our region of Devon.
In financial year 23/24, we helped 75,000 people in 51 countries worldwide and funded 86
other charities and organisations that deliver frontline services. Thanks to our volunteers and supporters, in the Southwest Region, we were able to help 367 members of the Army family and aid many charities that offer specialist support and care on our behalf.
In Devon alone, we supported the Plymouth and Veterans Family Hub (PVFH) and Veterans Outdoors, an awesome group that helps improve the mental health of military veterans by getting them involved in therapeutic outdoor activities. Grants were also given to individuals, from providing specialist wheelchairs to contributing towards a level access shower on a ground floor flat of a veteran in his 50s.
The overall scale, breadth and range of our support is vast. We help very young serving families cope with sudden bereavement and traumatic loss. We provide wide-ranging support to wounded soldiers, many of whom will need increasing financial assistance for decades to come.
We provide help with housing, education, and training for employment for soldiers and veterans of all ages. We are there for older veterans and their widows or widowers when they find themselves lonely or isolated.
Donations such as these make it possible for us to support those in need for the long term, doing our bit for those who have done theirs.
