Page 43 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

The Gazette QARANC Association 43
A memorable
day was
served up at
Centre Court
Many of us will have enjoyed this year’s Wimbledon Tennis tournament in front of our TV’s. Not so Major (Retd) Catherine Lawson from Newcastle Branch who was invited to Centre Court!
This year, for the first time, I was offered the opportunity to attend Wimbledon as a guest of the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, courtesy of The Not Forgotten – an organisation which supports in-service and ex-service personnel with disabilities or injuries. And what a fabulous day it was!
The day started sunny and warm as my friend and I headed by train and shuttle bus to Wimbledon. The grounds were immaculate, beautifully groomed and almost standing to attention whilst the purple and white corporate colours were portrayed in fabulous flower displays throughout the park.
Once inside Court One we were greeted by Col Richard Walker (CEO) and Ms Anne McGinley (Events Administrator) from The Not Forgotten, who provided a warm welcome and a complementary 2023 souvenir programme.
Number One Court delivered great views of the immaculately manicured grass surface, whilst the perfect atmosphere was soaked up by the 16 serving and veteran armed forces personnel and their guests, who were accommodated in fabulous seats, not far behind the umpire’s chair.
We watched three matches which starred Iga Świątek, Casper Ruud and Coco Gauff amongst others who entertained a vocal, enthusiastic, and excited crowd. During the afternoon we were also served Pimm’s, sandwiches and cakes in our seats as afternoon tea.
The day went by so quickly and as the sun went down it was time to leave this magical event and savour the memories instilled by this wonderful day out, provided by The Not Forgotten. Their aim is to enhance the mental and physical health of their beneficiaries and they ‘served’ this up in abundance.
I would finally like to thank The Not Forgotten for all their fabulous work in supporting and enhancing the lives of those service personnel with particular needs. The Wimbledon championships experience was a day not to be forgotten!
Major (Retd) Catherine Lawson
Their aim is to enhance the mental and physical health
of their beneficiaries and they ‘served’
this up in abundance.
Jean Charlton and Sharon McDowell from Newcastle Branch are pictured modelling a QARANC Association hat knitted by branch colleague Fiona Mitford. These should come in handy as we get into the colder months.