Page 8 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

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The Mercian Regiment
Benevolent Charity
Lt Col (Retd) Bill Temminck
The year of 2020 has been one the most challenging years we can remember due to the pandemic. We have all seen or know
of family members, veterans and friends who have fallen ill and in some tragic cases, died of COVID-19. This is also influencing the long-term treatment of personnel who have other illnesses and who have found it difficult to get the medical treatments they would have expected only a year ago.
The Charity Sector
The outbreak of the
coronavirus in early
2020 has had a massive
impact on how the
charity sector supports
our veterans throughout
this year. In an effort to
minimise running costs
most military charities
have centralised their
help offices and case workers into central hubs. With the first lockdown coming
into force most charities were then playing catch up due to the new social distancing regulations and the lack of computer and IT equipment for staff to work from home. The Mercian Regimental Headquarters was well prepared and continued to work normally, providing much needed support throughout both national lockdowns. We will continue to provide support as quickly as possible to our veterans, soldiers, and regimental family.
Five Year Review
We have completed a quick review of cases actioned over the last five years from April 2015 to March 2020 to give an overview
of the benevolence charity activity. The benevolence team have actioned a total 1194 cases received, with 827 applications coming from veterans of our Antecedent Regiments and a further 367 from Mercian soldiers/veterans. The oldest veteran we have helped is 91 years old with mobility issues, the youngest serving soldier being 20 whose daughter was seriously ill. The fund paid out £337,105 in grants and
WO2 John Byrne (RHC) at the National Remembrance Service Parade in Whitehall
Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph on Sunday 8th November 2020 and laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Hospital.
Charity Fund Raising
Support from all three of the Mercian Battalions has been exceptional in helping to raise funds. The Worshipful Company
of Bowyers continued their generosity
in donating £6,000 to the fund, this was topped up with a further £1,300 donated after a talk given by RHQ Mercian in London in Jun 20. Lt Col (Retd) Seddon went ahead with the Mercian (socially distanced) golf event in Jul with over 125 players taking part and raised over £2,000 for the fund. We thank all those veterans and friends
of the Regiment that have helped raise funds to support our Benevolence Charity. We would like to thank every serving member of the Mercian Regiment that contributes to the Benevolence Charity by being a member of the Day’s Pay Scheme. This remains our mainstream of income
that keeps the charity supporting our serving soldiers, veterans and Regimental Family. By being a member, you are also guaranteeing that you will also qualify for help in the future if you find yourself in need or hardship.
mercianregiment.co.uk/benevolence
Overall, we distributed £549,806 in assistance to our Regimental family who found themselves in need, hardship, or distress
applied to other service charities for a further £212,701 extra funding. Overall, we distributed £549,806 in assistance to our Regimental family who found themselves in need, hardship, or distress. We continue to promote the signposting of veterans who need help to specialist
organisations (mental health, loss of limbs, pension/medal queries).
Royal Hospital Chelsea
We remain in regular contact with both of our Chelsea Pensioners who have been
in lockdown for most of this period. Sgt James Fellows (Ex STAFFORD) requested help in the purchase of an Electric Powered Scooter to get around the hospital grounds, as he is having difficulty walking distances. WO2 John Byrne (Ex WFR) has been busy helping to raise the profile of the Hospital by supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Day Appeal (this made it into the Sun newspaper). He also took part, with five other Pensioners, at the very reduced
Mercian Regiment Charity Golf day, 2020
THE MERCIAN EAGLE