Forces Support Donates £60,000 to The Ulysses Trust to Empower Young People Through Adventure

The Ulysses Trust is delighted to announce a generous donation of £60,000 from Forces Support, a UK charity dedicated to supporting the families of fallen service personnel. This significant contribution will directly enable cadet units across the UK to deliver challenging and life-changing expeditions for young people in the Army Cadets, Royal Navy Cadets and Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

The donation was marked by the presentation of a commemorative plaque acknowledging the partnership between The Ulysses Trust and Forces Support. The presentation took place during The Ulysses Trust’s Odyssey Circle event at Google on 4 November 2025, featuring Forces Support CEO Gary Candlish (left) and Lady Janie Grosvenor, Vice Patron of The Ulysses Trust (right).

Polly Marsh, CEO of The Ulysses Trust, said:

“We are immensely grateful to Forces Support for this incredibly generous donation. Their contribution will open doors for hundreds of cadets to take part in expeditions that challenge them physically and mentally, helping them build the resilience, teamwork, and confidence that will serve them throughout their lives. This support truly embodies our shared belief in the power of challenge and adventure to transform young lives.”

Forces Support’s work providing practical help to bereaved military families reflects a strong alignment with The Ulysses Trust’s mission to promote service, courage, and personal development among young people.

Gary Candlish, CEO of Forces Support, commented:

“At Forces Support, we are passionate about giving back to the Armed Forces community in meaningful and lasting ways. Partnering with The Ulysses Trust allows us to extend our support to the next generation—helping young people connected to the Forces community grow into confident, capable leaders. We’re proud to contribute to such an inspiring cause.”

Since its founding in 1992, The Ulysses Trust has supported over 44,000 individuals across more than 3,100 expeditions—from grassroots Duke of Edinburgh journeys in the UK to extraordinary global challenges such as crossing Antarctica and climbing the world’s highest peaks. This donation from Forces Support will help ensure that even more young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can benefit from the life-changing impact of adventure.