The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has made a grant of £300,000 to support wounded, injured and sick Veterans and Service Personnel taking part in the Invictus UK Trials in Sheffield from 22nd to 26th July…
Delivered by Invictus UK, a partnership between Help for Heroes, the Ministry of Defence and The Royal British Legion, the unique event will see almost 400 wounded, injured and sick Veterans and Service Personnel take part in up to nine adaptive sports, as part of their ongoing recovery from life-changing injuries and illnesses.
The Trust makes grants that support the Armed Forces community and their grant to the Trials will benefit hundreds of wounded Veterans and Service Personnel who use sport as part of their recovery.
Melloney Poole, Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust said: “We are delighted to make this important grant to support the recovery of Veterans and serving personnel through sport. Opportunities for Veterans to access a wide range of activities that can aid their recovery is vital. With the launch of the Positive Pathways Programme, these opportunities will increase, ensuring more Veterans benefit from improved mental health and wellbeing by getting out and active as part of a worthwhile project.”
Those who compete in the Trials can put themselves forward for consideration to become part of Team UK for the Invictus Games The Hague 2020. Selection in the UK is based on potential recovery benefit, attitude and commitment as well as performance. All competitors, whether selected to represent the UK at the Invictus Games or not, will be offered the opportunity to represent Team UK in different ways, at other sporting events or in local clubs.
Martin Colclough, Chef de Mission for Invictus UK and Head of Sports Recovery at Help for Heroes, said: “We are very grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for their generous grant, which enables us to support so many wounded Veterans and Service Personnel in rediscovering a sense of purpose. Through the power of sport, the Invictus UK Trials will be a life-changing experience for so many on their recovery journeys.”
In addition to the sport which is being supported by the Trust, there will be numerous other events taking place in Sheffield during the week of the Invictus UK Trials, such as performances of Soldier On, a photography exhibition, The Big Gig opening concert, a jobs fair and numerous other supporting activities. All this is designed to provide a holistic approach to recovery and to showcase the incredible potential of those who are living with complex injuries and illnesses.
The Trust runs the Positive Pathways Programme, where Armed Forces charities can access grants of up to £70,000. Part of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, the Positive Pathways Programme funds projects that develop and run activities that support the mental health and wellbeing of ex-Forces. Whether sports, heritage or getting outdoors, projects should be active, and activity based.