This year’s SSDT charities had a great help raising money thanks to Oset bikes and Trials UK. A one off special edition "Scottish" electric bike was offered as an incentive for people to donate to two very worthwhile causes. The "Forces Children’s Trust" and "Bike Tours for the Wounded" both of whom support families whom have suffered life changing injuries due to conflict.

During their 30 week attendance at RAFC Cranwell, Initial Officer Training Course 30 raised a total of £1539 in support of Forces Childrens’ Trust Charity. A total of 27 cadets formed D Squadron and were sponsored for community work at a local school on their ‘Just Giving’ donation page.

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Available in the store now is this cuddly chap! A full announcement about Denny the Lion will follow later in the year!

We are all keeping busy, or should I say the children are busy and I am kept busy ferrying them around lol!  It's good to see them carrying on with living.... It's what makes what you do all the more poignant and so needed!

No matter where the path of life leads us Denny, the children and I will forever be immensely grateful for the hand you held out for them to grasp and the path you paved, for them to still become the fine young people/adults that Ian and I wished they would be.... and they are indeed getting there .... Time waits for nobody!

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you, but you are doing a tremendous job .... giving children back their childhood .... to allow them to have some respite from carrying the burdens that many military families sadly have to bear.

Take good care Denny and much love always!

GillX

This note is used by kind permission of the writer.

 

 

Two Mums from Cyprus take on a cycle challenge, cycling 400kms over 6 days from the frenzy of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to the tranquillity of Angkor Wat in Cambodia! In order to raise funds for the Forces Children’s Trust!

 

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Dear Denny,

Words can't really express my thanks for allowing me to take up so much of your valuable time yesterday, ironically I have just written you a small note to include when I post the completed forms later today. I genuinely appreciate the care and concern you showed for myself and my two young children which seems to come so naturally. It was a real privilege to speak with you, and how refreshing yet unexpected to have the opportunity to speak direct with a founder of a charity rather than administrative staff, it really does alter the experience! I look forward to meeting you sometime in the near future where hopefully I can thank you in person.

Sincerely,

Bridget Males

(Reproduced with kind permission.)

The Lions Club of Reading held a successful fund raising gala dinner to support various military charities at the NCO’s Mess of the Household Cavalry Regiment at Combermere Barracks, Windsor on 17^th November 2012. The event was supported by more than 160 people and raised £21,000. This was distributed amongst a number of military charities including the Forces Children’s Trust.

The Lions Club of Reading is one of 46,000 Lions Clubs around the world all responding to local and global needs with fundraising and community projects and was delighted to support the Forces Children’s Trust.

 On Saturday May 11th 2013 in their Golden Jubilee Year, pupils of the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School of Music have agreed to perform a Grand Gala Concert in aid of the Forces Children's Trust.  This prestigious event has been organised by Fund Raising Friends. 

The varied programme will give the audience a wonderful opportunity to hear solo and orchestral performances from the very talented young pupils attending this school and promises to be an evening to remember.

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Through the tremendous generosity of Steve Start , Chris Gray, and all at Cottingham Golf Club, four  Forces Children’s Trust families were able to enjoy a  two week’s holiday in Florida, including a 14 day pass to Disney World. 

Flights, accommodation and transport were also efficiently organised by Steve Start with regular liaison with Denny Wise of the FCT.  

The children aged between 4 and 15 were so excited upon arrival at Gatwick Airport and a bond was immediately formed between them.  As they boarded the Virgin Atlantic flight each of them received a bag of goodies! 

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One of the things the Forces Children's Trust endeavours to do is to give children a positive shared experience, where they can have a little escape, and also share time and experiences with others in a similar situation. This is one such story.

"With enormous thanks to Denny Wise and the Forces Childrens Trust we were able to enjoy a week’s holiday at Bena Vista on the Costa Del Sol in Spain.  With efficient organisation Denny met us all at Gatwick airport on 4^th August and helped us to check in ready for our flight to Malaga.  The children aged between 5 and 17 waited with anticipation for their flight and became firm friends from the outset.

Once in Spain we arrived at our beautifully maintained resort and settled into our comfortable apartments.  We had access to excellent private swimming pools which were most refreshing after lazing in the sun and were a firm favourite for all the children. 

“I loved being the ‘big sister’ for all the younger girls, especially when having fun in the pool.”

Molly Aged 13.

There were local shops to explore and small restaurants. We went on the easy to access buses to get to Estepona beach and Puerto Banus where they have the most delicious ice creams ever! We also went on some excursions, a train ride to the historic town of Ronda and an exciting boat trip from Gibraltar to watch pods of wild dolphins.

"I loved seeing real dolphins in the wild, it was amazing, really cool!"

Hannah Aged 7.

It was a most relaxing and pleasant get away and the children were all tanned, tired and had enormous smiles by the end of the week.  We all returned home feeling supported and cared about.  A great success!  Thank you Forces Childrens Trust for looking after us and giving us this holiday opportunity.

“It was so good to escape on an adventure, I love Spain and it was so nice to have time and space to relax.”

Heather Aged 17."

Many thanks from Karen, Heather and Molly Stephens, Sally, Hannah and Sophie Thorneloe and Liz and Katie Bradshaw.

 

This years Theatre Trip and Christmas Party was a phenominal success. A wonderful meet and greet with the generous cast of Scrooge with Tommy Steele, and then onto the party via Edward Thomas Coaches (two coach loads this year)! After a wonderful Christmas Dinner, presents were given out to the children by our special guests Ritchie Maddocks of the Soldiers and Sarah Eden of Access All Arias.

Many more photos on our Facebook page.

Flossie introduced the children to the dance routines she had specifically choreographed for the evening, and music was provided by Nigel Royale of Wise & Wicked Disco's. The children loved the beautiful dresses that the ladies from Access All Arias were wearing, some of the children said, "They are singing like angels". Parents commented that it was the best one yet, we will have to work hard to make it even more spectacular for next year.

Thank you to all our helpers this year, you did a tremendous job.
Have a wonderful Christmas & Peaceful New Year!

Sincerely,

Denny & the FCT Trustees

Since becoming aware of the Forces Children’s Trust, the team at Big Game Hunters have been greatly moved by the generosity and kindness of the Trust and the founder Denny Wise. They were quick to get in touch and express their interest in supporting us and getting involved with the charity.

Big Game Hunters Trampoline Shop are a small family-run company that specialise in trampoline equipment for families of all ages, and are committed to encouraging children to get outdoors and enjoy the great benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, while having a whole lot of fun at the same time! To join forces with our Trust and support our efforts, the Big Game Hunters team have kindly donated one of their most popular trampolines; an 8ft Fun trampoline with a safety enclosure!

They will hold a free raffle at our 2012 Christmas Party for this wonderful Gift to the FCT. Big Game Hunters have designed a range of different size and shape trampolines, including Oval trampolines, rectangular and even bright pink ones, but their real originality lies in their dedication to children and families everywhere, and host various campaigns to help families encourage their children to have fun outdoors, and see how exciting the fresh air can be! We’re so pleased that different organisations and individuals continue to recognise the work that we do and wish to help and support us, and it’s this generosity that means we can continue to do our very best for this wonderful cause.

Many thanks to Trampoline Shop, and to all our supporters.

 

• Sgt Liam Whelan 2010/2011 Display Manager
• C/T Robert Huckle 2013 Display Manager
• Cpl Mick Butler Deputy Team leader (AV Specialist)

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• Flt Lt Gregor Ogston (Display Manager)
• Sgt Liam Whelan (Eng Display Manager)
• Flt Lt Arlene Walker (PR)
• FS Darren Thompson (PR)
• Cpl Mick Butler (PR)
• Cpl Craig Grouse (PR)
• Cpl Jamie Rae (PR)

 

The police of Mount Pleasant went underwater for 24 hours covering 62 kilometres in support of the Forces Children’s Trust. Paul Wisdom was armed with a snorkel and a microphone at MPC Pool. Via BFBS.

Look in the Forces Children's Trust store for lots of present ideas!

Please support this event, they are raising funds for the Forces Children's Trust plus other great Military Charities!

 

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Denny Wise and the FCT would like to thank Sqn Ldr Sarah Charters, Cpl Des Buckley, Victoria Goshing and Eileen Cain for helping to raise £696.52 at Deepcut Barracks Open Day, a fantastic achievement!

"The Team" L to R Eileen Cain, Cpl Des Buckley, Sqn Ldr Sarah Charters, Denny Wise and Victoria Goshing.

Eileen Cain with a Chelsea Pensioner.

On the very hot and sunny afternoon of 26 of March, a team of nine runners from PDSH (RAF Benson) set off on a gruelling 10 mile cross country run to raise money for the worthwhile charity - the Forces Children's Trust.

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"Andy Greenfield is a Rep and in the RAF working on the same Sqn as my future Son in Law. He is a Sgt. and an engineer, helping to keep the Puma's flying! His wife Anita and his daughter Erica work very hard in raising awareness of the FCT."

 

The Forces Childrens Trust Christmas Party proved a great success with children big and small!

Santa took time off from preparations to spend time with the children and listen to some last minute requests, and we were delighted that Dragon's Den star and FCT patron Duncan Bannatyne made a surprise appearance bringing fun to proceedings.

The annual event is an opportunity for children supported by the FCT to get together and have a fun Christmas experience.

"What a fantastic Patron our Duncan Bannatyne is! A truly genuine and wonderful guy. It is an honour to have you aboard Duncan. Sincerely, Denny & all at the FCT."

Denny Wise, Founder and Chairman

Photos from the event:

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is a charity devoted to working together to help children in need whose father or mother has died, or has sustained life threatening injuries, whilst a serving member of the British Armed Forces.

We are a small, agile charity providing support and positive experiences to children who have suffered a great loss. By participating in events like Theatre trips holidays with other children in a similar situation they can create their own way of moving forward.

This short video provides an introduction to the charity.