CHARITY
The Tommy Club :
ENSURING MILITARY VETERANS AREN ’ T LEFT BEHIND
FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY , RBLI HAS BEEN PROVIDING LIFE-CHANGING SUPPORT TO MILITARY VETERANS , THEIR FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES .
The charity was established at Preston Hall , Aylesford , in 1919 , to provide support to troops returning from the First World War . Now , more than 100 years later , the charity works to improve the lives of 11,000 people every year , with a focus on providing employment , welfare and accommodation support .
Since its early years , the charity ’ s base has grown into an inter-generational village supporting 300 veterans and their families through a mix of family housing , assisted living accommodation and high dependency , luxury care homes . At the heart of the village is a factory , Britain ’ s Bravest Manufacturing Company , which sees military veterans – many of whom face significant challenges due to disability – provided with meaningful work opportunities .
As the pandemic escalated in the Autumn of 2020 , RBLI established a national veteran support club , the Tommy Club , which would help ensure that military veterans weren ’ t left behind – now and for generations to come . The project sees supporters come together in a single community to support the country ’ s most vulnerable military veterans . Dubbed Tommy Club Champions , they rise through bronze , silver and gold ranks by completing fundraising challenges , raising funds for the much-needed cause .
In its first year , the Tommy Club has achieved phenomenal success , raising more than £ 160,000 through the hard work of 1,600 champions nationwide . This success has seen the club gain significant backing from notable individuals , with TV explorer Levison Wood , Olympic gold medallist Heather Stanning OBE and Kent ’ s own Raj Bisram , presenter of Antiques Road Trip , counted amongst its founding patrons . Just three months after its establishment , the club announced its highest profile supporter to date : England football captain Harry Kane .
Harry said : “ RBLI have supported military veterans for more than 100 years and I know the great work they do employing ex-servicemen and women and helping them overcome significant challenges .
“ I encourage people to get involved and support the Tommy Club as every new champion makes a difference . Together we can improve the lives of our nation ’ s heroes .”
Every penny raised from the Tommy Club goes directly to supporting RBLI ’ s wide range of services including a new £ 22 million development which will see the charity provide a home to hundreds more veterans every year for the next 100 years .
RBLI ’ s community fundraising manager Rachel Park , who oversees the Tommy Club , said : “ The last 18 months have been difficult for all of us – but even more so for those veterans who sadly face daily challenges after their service careers .
“ It ’ s been heart-warming to see the Tommy Club bring people from all over the UK together to ensure our charity ’ s services can continue to help those in need .
“ And as the country looks to recover from the effects of the pandemic , these brave men and women will only need our support more , so we want to encourage people from across Kent to join the Tommy Club , so that we can continue to make a difference .”
Become a Tommy Club champion and support the country ’ s most vulnerable veterans at www . tommyclub . co . uk
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