Where your money goes
The Soldiers’ Charity give a lifetime of support to soldiers and veterans from the British Army, and their immediate families, when they are in need. We make grants to individuals through their Regiments and Corps and support a wide range of specialist charities that sustain the British Army ‘family’, both at home and around the world.
We take pride in being responsive, making a difference at a critical point in people’s lives. We have been doing this since 1944, working with veterans of every conflict, and we envisage continuing doing so for the ‘long haul’ – supporting all future generations of our soldiers and their dependents.
“All soldiers, veterans and their immediate families should have the opportunity to avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity.”
MARK'S STORY
Mark served with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment for 16 years, mostly as a sniper with the Reconnaissance platoon. His service included operational tours in Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2010, while leading a routine patrol in Afghanistan, Mark was shot by a Taliban sniper. The bullet passed through his neck, leaving him paralysed from the neck down. Mark was evacuated back to the UK, where the devastating extent of his injuries became clear. Despite the predictions of his doctors, Mark was determined to overcome his injuries and learn to walk again.
Mark spent two and a half years undergoing physiotherapy at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court. His rehabilitation and recovery has been long, painful and challenging – but through dint of sheer determination, he has achieved his goal of walking again.
Our charity has supported Mark at several points over the years, most recently by providing grants for training equipment so he could develop his interest in kayaking. Mark showed a great natural aptitude for kayaking, and went on to be selected for the GB Sprint Kayaking squad. Mark has become a passionate supporter of our charity, raising funds for the Army family through challenges and events.
Through challenges like Operation Bletchley, your support really can make a difference:
£50 - could help cover travel costs so a veteran can attend a job interview.
£75 - could go towards the cost of a temporary wheelchair ramp, allowing an injured soldier to enter and leave his home.
£250 - could contribute towards the care home fees of a frail elderly veteran who requires continuous care.
£1000 - could help pay for home adaptations so that a veteran’s young disabled child can live in a safe and accessible environment.
Thank you for your support.
A rewarding experience
We have some amazing fundraising incentives on offer - can you collect them all?
Your fundraising will also support soldiers, veterans and their families in need through the British Army's National Charity - ABF The Soldiers' Charity.
- Get your first donation on your page to get an Operation Bletchley: Cairo pencil (this can be as little as £1!)
- Raise £25: Receive an additional 3 codes to crack, delivered by a well known voice!
- Raise £50 to earn an Operation Bletchley Cairo codebreaking puzzle book.
- Raise £100 to receive your Operation Bletchley: Cairo Buff.
- Raise £150 to receive an Operation Bletchley: Cairo t-shirt.
- Raise £250 for an Operation Bletchley Cairo commemorative pin badge.
The puzzle book will contain the first 9 codes of your mission. We’ll be sending these out in the last week of September, so make sure you have raised £50 on your fundraising page by then to ensure you receive it ready for the start of the mission on the 1st October. The final 10th code will be revealed once you’ve walked the full distance!
Medals and more...
Your official Operation Bletchley medal will be awarded if you receive 'Mission Accomplished' status. To do this you simply need to deliver your correct coded message on time, by midnight on 31 October 2023.
Fundraising will remain open until the end of November 2023. You will receive your medal in December 2023.
Your fundraising results will be automatically included in our Fundraising Army promotions table, so you can compete with other supporters.
You’ll also be able to join the Operation Bletchley online community where you’ll find many like-minded people who will support and encourage you.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Agent L on events@soldierscharity.org.
How far will you rise?
By signing up to Operation Bletchley you’ll be enlisted into our elite Army – The Soldiers’ Charity Fundraising Army.
See the full list of promotions here.
Joining as a Private, your primary mission will be to raise vital funds to support our soldiers, veterans and their families. Do you have the drive to rise through the ranks whilst raising money to help those who fought and gave so much for us.
