The Great Tommy Sleepout

[Grandalf]

https://www.facebook.com/ben.symonds.5/

 

I hope this is OK with the moderators. 

On March the 17th (Whatever the weather) I will be doing a sleepout in the woods of North Suffolk in solidarity with the estimated 6000 service veterans who currently have no fixed abode and includes those who are sleeping on the streets.   It is almost impossible to get yourself back in to normal civilian life with a home and a job unless you have a firm base in the first place.   How can you pass a job interview if you can't get yourself cleaned up and parade ready prior to the event.   The Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) is attacking the problem and we desperately need  your financial support.   If you go to the link above you will be on my Facebook page and from there you can donate to our cause.   RBLI is a charity based in the RBL Poppy Village at Aylesford in Kent but IS A STAND ALONE CHARITY and does its own fund raising, has its own trustees and patron.   It specialises in getting veterans back into homes and jobs - especially those who are injured or in bad health.   Please give generously but even the smallest amount will help the cause.   Every marathon or route march starts with just one step.   I am nearly 83 and still helping out where I can - Please do the same - It makes you feel good and useful. 

Thanks

Ben

Edited February 16, 2022 by Grandalf

[discobob]

Awesome Ben

Later I will follow your link on my own machine and donate to the cause - Good on you fella from a fellow vet (R.Sigs and RAF - I went back for more  )

[Grandalf]

39 minutes ago, discobob said:

Awesome Ben

Later I will follow your link on my own machine and donate to the cause - Good on you fella from a fellow vet (R.Sigs and RAF - I went back for more  )

Thanks mate.   I was R.Sigs then Army Air Corps.   Started as a boy soldier at AAS Harrogate.

Edited February 16, 2022 by Grandalf

[pigeon controller]

A worthy cause, programmed to defend the nation , then left to ther own devices.

RESPECT.

[Tonka54]

As an ex serviceman myself Ben, I think the gesture you are making is outstanding, I will certainly pledge a donation as the wife and I regularly do.

But we usually do this now through the Veterans Charity, As of late we have lost faith with the Royal British Legion after all the controversy surrounding them.

We both understand that the "gutter press" will publish anything, truth or false, so long as it sells papers. However, when veterans themselves are unhappy with the organization it speaks volumes.   (see below)

 

 Military veterans blast Royal British Legion for 'gross misuse' of funds after it spent almost £100,000 on a new LOGO while 6,000 ex-armed forces are homeless

[Grandalf]

6 minutes ago, Tonka54 said:

As an ex serviceman myself Ben, I think the gesture you are making is outstanding, I will certainly pledge a donation as the wife and I regularly do.

But we usually do this now through the Veterans Charity, As of late we have lost faith with the Royal British Legion after all the controversy surrounding them.

We both understand that the "gutter press" will publish anything, truth or false, so long as it sells papers. However, when veterans themselves are unhappy with the organization it speaks volumes.   (see below)

 

 Military veterans blast Royal British Legion for 'gross misuse' of funds after it spent almost £100,000 on a new LOGO while 6,000 ex-armed forces are homeless

Just to be sure on this.   It is for Royal British Legion INDUSTRIES.  (RBLI).   This is a different, but similar, charity to RBL.   It stands completely alone.   Own fund raising, different patron, own trustees etc, etc.   Like you I have been disenchanted by the Legion and that is why I am doing what I am doing for RBLI.

If you Google RBLI you can read all about them.

[discobob]

11 minutes ago, Tonka54 said:

As an ex serviceman myself Ben, I think the gesture you are making is outstanding, I will certainly pledge a donation as the wife and I regularly do.

But we usually do this now through the Veterans Charity, As of late we have lost faith with the Royal British Legion after all the controversy surrounding them.

We both understand that the "gutter press" will publish anything, truth or false, so long as it sells papers. However, when veterans themselves are unhappy with the organization it speaks volumes.   (see below)

 

 Military veterans blast Royal British Legion for 'gross misuse' of funds after it spent almost £100,000 on a new LOGO while 6,000 ex-armed forces are homeless

I get where you coming from Tonka - I have similar feelings as well - but I am supporting @Grandalf really, not the RBL - FYI my Mother is a volunteer case worker for SSAFA as well

 

Edit: Thanks for the clarification @Grandalf

[Tonka54]

@Grandalf & @discobob Yes points well taken guys, hopefully I did not cause any offence with my comments, if so, it wasn't the intention.

At least it has served to ease anybody else's concerns about making donations to Ben's very admirable cause, and may well help to convince other members to make a donation safe in the knowledge that a good percentage of which will go to the veterans.😀    

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, we don't do enough for our Veterans yet spend £4, million a week putting illegal immigrants in hotels, 🤔

[Agriv8]

1 hour ago, Grandalf said:

Thanks mate.   I was R.Sigs then Army Air Corps.   Started as a boy soldier at AAS Harrogate.

Is that the army training base Gandalf at the end of Penny pot lane. ? It’s grown over the years?

re the cause what a great thing you are doing - will communicate with Mrs Agriv8 as I don’t do Facebook!

Agriv8

[Grandalf]

Yes, it was the Army Apprentices School in my days.   Went there in 1954.   Fifteen years old and green.   800 juvenile delinquents gathered together on the Yorkshire moors.

 

1 hour ago, Agriv8 said:

Is that the army training base Gandalf at the end of Penny pot lane. ? It’s grown over the years?

re the cause what a great thing you are doing - will communicate with Mrs Agriv8 as I don’t do Facebook!

Agriv8

 

[discobob]

Just now, Grandalf said:

800 juvenile delinquents gathered together on the Yorkshire moors.

Nothing on the moors at Catterick

 

[Grandalf]

3 hours ago, discobob said:

Nothing on the moors at Catterick

 

There was nothing left on the moors when the 800 juvenile delinquents left either.   We'd eaten anything edible.

[Grandalf]

8 hours ago, pigeon controller said:

A worthy cause, programmed to defend the nation , then left to ther own devices.

RESPECT.

There should not be a requirement for military charities and that's for sure.

[old man]

Maybe just the typical lack of government support from "the standbacks" that have run the country for decades? 

[Grandalf]

On 18/02/2022 at 10:16, old man said:

Maybe just the typical lack of government support from "the standbacks" that have run the country for decades? 

The government is only there for about four years.   The need of some veterans lasts a lifetime.   The USA does it much better that us.   It is truly a lifetime committment by the American people.   Keep donating fellahs - We need your support.

[amateur]

43 minutes ago, Grandalf said:

The government is only there for about four years.   The need of some veterans lasts a lifetime.   The USA does it much better that us.   It is truly a lifetime committment by the American people.   Keep donating fellahs - We need your support.

Yup, my 86 year old Oregonian pal served in the US Coastguard in Cambodia and gets all his health needs covered at the local veterans hospital and was first in line for the CoVid vaccinations

[Grandalf]

That's typical of the States.   Veterans hospital in every major town.......

[Grandalf]

Bump.   Come on fellahs - We need your support.