On Saturday 22 June 2024, Wing Commander Helen Simpson, MA, BSC (Hons), the Station Commander at RAF St Mawgan and her team hosted The Veterans Charities Big Breakfast event.
It was an opportunity to bring both veterans and the armed forces together at an informal event in the combined mess on the base. The Veterans Charity had also invited a number of organisations that could provide support and advice to the attendees.
It was an honour to have representatives from the local NHS, the DWP, SSAFA, Battling On, Newquay Surf Veterans, the Defence Gardens Scheme based at the Eden Project, EPIC GiGAbility and the VAPC from the South West.
We also let attendees know about the local Breakfast Clubs we host at the Veterans Half facility in west Cornwall and the Black Dog Walking Club initiative. There is a thriving Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club network in Cornwall and we were delighted to have representatives from as far as Saltash and Penzance.
The Newquay Town Crier brought us all to order, our ears are still ringing! Also joining us was Miss World England Milla Magee, whose grandfather served in the Royal Air Force flying Mosquitos and Spitfires!
Funding for the event came from Cornwall Council, who had staff attend to provide support many of them were veterans themselves. BBC Cornwall also helped raise awareness of the event and we hope to continue the Big Breakfast events in the South West with another planned for November.
The Veterans Charity would like to thank Wing Commander Simpson and her team, including ESS caterers for a superb event.