Soldiering On Awards Honours 2017 Finalists at House of Lords

LONDON 10 February 2017 – The 2017 Soldiering On Awards honoured 46 finalists in ten categories at a reception at the House of Lords on 9 February.

Hosted by the charity’s patron, the Rt Hon Earl Howe PC, the evening celebrated the achievements of individuals and organisations for their inspirational and outstanding achievements in support of the Armed Forces Community.

“In times of need the British Armed Forces are tasked with the defence of our country, its overseas and Crown dependencies - and there is none better” said Earl Howe.

“The Soldiering On Awards recognise the amazing contribution that former members of the Armed Forces – and animal partners – continue to make to society and also those individuals, charities and groups in the wider community who support their journey. We believe that we are all part of one community and are stronger together supporting each other.”

Soldiering On Awards Ambassador, actress Vicki Michelle MBE, was on hand to toast all the Awards finalists with a glass of Taittinger champagne. The finalists were nominated by members of the public and more than 40 charities and not-for-profit organisations either representing or associated with the wider Armed Forces Community.

2016 Inspiration Award Winner Battling On CIC, CEO Nikki Markham spoke to guests about how much winning an award had helped the charity raise awareness and support for their work.

"Winning the Soldiering On Award opened doors for us which had previously been closed."

Winners are selected by a distinguished Independent Judges Panel, co-chaired by General the Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL and Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change. The Pets at Home Animal Partnership and Sunday Express People’s Choice awards finalists are selected by the judges from among all nominations and the winners are selected by the public via the charity’s media partner, the Sunday Express.

This year’s overall winners will be announced at the 2017 Soldiering On Awards on Friday, 24 March at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London.

The finalists are:

ANIMAL PARTNER AWARD – Sponsored by Pets at Home

• BRAVEHOUND Project
• Dave Heyhoe and Treo DM
• Jock Hutchison and Horseback UK
• Veterans with Dogs
• Veterans For Wildlife
  
  

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AWARD – Sponsored by telent Technology Services

• ex-militarycareers.com
• Heropreneurs
• Huggable Heroes
• Supporting the Unsung Hero Business Start-up Programme, the University of Wolverhampton
• X-Forces

FAMILY VALUES AWARD – Sponsored by NetApp

• Mr & Mrs Joseph Clayton
• Ann Hickmann
• Eneshia Prescott
• Ann Shakeshaft
• The Taylor Family

HEALTHCARE & REHABILITATION AWARD – sponsored by Redwood Technologies Group,

• Dr Roos Allsop
• Mr Ash Clare
• Glasgow Veterans United
• Turn to Starboard

INSPIRATION AWARD – Sponsored by Skanska

• Adam Francis

• Clive Jones
• Janine Mayoll

• Simon Weston

INTERNATIONAL AWARD – Sponsored by Airbus Defence and Space

• Defence Medical Welfare Service
• Project Gemini
• Sherian Webster for Shoeboxes for our Heroes
• Scripture Reader Meg Atkinson
• Royal Air Force Tornado Force

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Sponsored by Square Mile Salute and CSARN, City & Security Resilience Networks

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – Sponsored by media partner Sunday Express

• Simon Brown
• Alasdair Carnegie
• Combat Stress
• Chris Middleton
• Nicky Murdoch

SPORTING EXCELLENCE AWARD – Sponsored by Spectra Group UK

• Tyler Christopher
• Scotty Darroch
• Owen Pick
• The BLESMA Row to Recovery Team
• Mark Smith
• Mark Threadgold

WORKING TOGETHER AWARD – Sponsored by Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT)

• The Army Training Regiment Winchester
• Brunei Stables Pony / Saddle Club
• Forces Friends Project
• The Invicta Foundation
• Veterans In Communities
• Veterans Information Network Nottinghamshire

The Soldiering On Through Life Trust encourages support for the UK’s Armed Forces Community by nationally recognising the achievements of groups or individuals supporting this Community through the annual Soldiering On Awards.

Soldiering On Awards: National Recognition for the Armed Forces Community.

For highlights of the 2016 Soldiering On Awards visit: www.soldieringon.org