The Welsh Veterans Awards 2020 /2021 Sponsored by Sinclair Audi – Bridgend Audi and in Support of the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity recently took place on Thursday September 9 in Cardiff.
The evening proved to be a huge success.
In Wales, there are tens of thousands of former military personnel, who upon transition from the armed forces have gone on to contribute immensely to their local community. The Veterans Awards looks to celebrate these true hero’s along with the companies that support us.
The Veteran’s Awards is a not for profit organisation that promotes the positives from our military veteran community. It’s been put together by Veterans for Veterans, serving reservists and those companies that support us. We reward our community in the areas of fitness, business, health and well-being and the wider community.
This year the main awards ceremony was held at the Village Hotel and hosted by Polly James. The event was supported by the Welsh Government with Hannah Blythyn MS Deputy Minister for Social Partnership in attendance. During the evening we heard from Brigadier J Fraser MBE and Brigadier A Dawes CBE, Head of the Army in Wales and the Commander of 160th Infantry Brigade. The event was supported by Royal Navy Reserves from HMS Cambria, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and the fantastic Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh and Shenkin IV and the Goat Major.
The aim of the awards is to celebrate the success coming from within our community and inspire future service leavers that great things can happen when they do decide to leave the Armed Forces.
Some of the highlights of the night saw Michael Allen founder of the Endex Project from Caerphilly be awarded the Inspiration of the year award and become our Welsh Veterans Awards Champion and also the fantastic Paul Taylor MBE be awarded the Leavers to Leaders award for amazing work he has been doing with RE:ACT Disaster response especially during the Covid Pandemic.
Please find Below a list of Winners –
Welsh Veterans Awards Champion – Michael Allen – Endex
Role Model of the Year – Sponsored by Royal Educare – Mike Smith
Inspiration of the Year Award – Sponsored by Porters Estate Agents – Michael Allen
The Community Award- Sponsored by RV1 Group – Cyril Turner
Contribution to Welsh Fitness Industry- Sponsored by Print Inc – Neil Adams
Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored by Pinnacle Office Solutions – Collin Singer
Lifetime Achievement – Sponsored by Hugh James Solicitors – Steve Fisher
Employer of the Year- Sponsored by AB Glass – MPCT
Leavers to Leader Award – Sponsored by Leavers to Leaders – Paul Taylor MBE
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Pathfinder Magazine – Sue Butler
Veterans Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Educ8 Training – Ajuda Limited
Health and Well-being Award – Sponsored by Bridgend AUDI – Sinclair Audi – The Bulldogs
Reservist of the Year Award – Sponsored by Bridgend AUDI – Sinclair Audi – Kieron Long
Mr Chris Jenkins (Head of Business) from Bridgend Audi (Main Sponsor) stated:
“The Awards really drive a robust bridge between veterans leaving their duties and moving back into the commercial world. Not only does it recognise their efforts, it also offers them a vehicle to recognise the true value of the skills and characteristics they have gained during their service.”
Founder of the Welsh Veterans Awards and Military Veteran Sean Molino BCA said “I would like to thank all that have supported our Welsh Veterans Awards and making it a huge success, Judges, Sponsors, Partners, Guests and our amazing Volunteers.
These awards are extremely close to my heart. As a former serving soldier, I can understand how difficult transition is, and how we require help and guidance along the way, even at times if we don’t ask for support.”
I want our Veterans Awards and social media presence to become a place where serving military and veterans can discover some great advice and tips from veterans, who are doing truly inspirational things upon leaving the military. I hope we can inspire future service leavers that great things can be achieved with help and support.”
Pathfinder International Editor, Mal Robinson added: “I was hugely proud to be in attendance for the Welsh Veterans Awards representing Pathfinder International magazine. As official media partners for the event, we were only too delighted to promote the inspiring stories of veterans who have made a positive impact on their communities.”