Page 12 - The Sandbag Times Issue No:58

YOU & THE COVENANT

Article: Pablo Snow Featured Image: Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is not just a pledge by the Government
to support serving servicemen and women, veterans and their
families, indeed it is a commitment that we should all be getting
involved with. The SBT, along with Team Dynamics Motorsport,
Stepway and the Tommy Atkins Veterans Centre are heading up an

initiative to recognise those in the community that go above and
beyond to support our local heroes.

orking in the West Midlands That is all about to change. The SBT, The
over the past few years has really “Life is short and we need to live that life Tommy Atkins Centre, Stepway and Team
Wopened my eyes to the Armed to the maximum, the freedom we enjoy Dynamics Motorsport are headlining a new
Forces Covenant and the Community in the UK is in no uncertain part down initiative to recognise those who go above and
Covenant. But even for me, somebody who to our armed forces, whether active, beyond to support the AFC community.
has dedicated his life to serving veterans, retired or recuperating and that is why I
it has taken a lot of time and an awful lot am so proud to be a Patron of the Sand- Each month, we will feature an organisation
of understanding to realise just what it is bag Times. What you do and have done and how they have contributed. At the end of
and how it can serve the Armed Forces and for this country goes beyond words.” the year, we will announce our overall annual
Veterans community. Covenant Champion and present an award in
Matt Neal recognition of their efforts at an event still to
I’ll say from the very outset, the Covenant Halfords Yuasa Racing driver and be confirmed.
has had a bit of a bashing from me over the Team Dynamics Director
past few years, admittedly from a lack of We, at the SBT network are determined to
understanding at times but I think even the Despite their incredibly busy schedule, support the Armed Forces Covenant, not only
MoD will admit it’s far from perfect. bearing in mind that this is the top team in locally but also nationally and encourage its
the top motorsport event in the UK with two members to get involved in supporting those
Having said all that, it is what we have and of the best drivers, they still always have time who have given so much.
over the past few months I have written my to support our Armed Forces Community
thoughts on how to get the best out of it to and in particular, the veterans in the local Detail on how you can get involved and sign
work with your own community. I have area. Surely, that is the kind of support that the Armed Forces Covenant can be found
to say that it is working here in the West we should be seeing from signatories of the here:
Midlands. AFC. https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/
get-involved/sign-the-covenant/
When the Covenant was rolled out, the One thing that has become apparent to us,
whole of the UK was encouraged to sign is that the companies that do sign and get If you would like to let us know how your
up and show support. Happily, thousands involved are very seldom recognised for their own organisation or an organisation you
upon thousands did. The result was local efforts. Yes, I know, recognition is not the top know, has contributed to the Armed Forces
authorities, businesses, charities and members priority in any charitable matter. But it is nice Covenant then why not get in touch with us
of the public started to take more interest in to have some one pat you on the back and say here at the Sandbag Times by emailing us at:
the welfare of our Forces past and present. ‘Well done’ every now and then. info@sandbagtimes.com
More and more initiatives were born locally
and the Government finally had to take
notice.

Some 10 years on, so much more can still
be done. There are many who purely wear
the badge and do nothing but flip the coin
and you certainly will see the reverse.
Many organisations have not signed the
covenant but engage hugely with the
Forces Community. Certainly, over here
in Worcester, I can say our BTCC team is a
shining example of that.
You will have seen the immense coverage I
try to give Matt Neal and Team Dynamics
Motorsport. This is because of the
unrelenting support they give to us. No
strings attached, just support.

| 12 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk