The equipment they
use to fight the enemy costs billions to develop and incorporates
the very latest technology – but now troops serving on
Afghanistan’s front line are about to see their down time made
brighter with the provision of modern consumer gadgets.
A range of items including portable DVD players, games consoles
and solar-powered chargers for MP3 players and other personal
equipment, are to be supplied to Afghanistan’s Forward Operating
Bases as an initial project to get a new type of charity fund
under way.
Thanks to generous sponsorship from Littlewoods and
Woolworths.co.uk and the Daily Mirror newspaper, the
Operational Welfare Fund, publicly launched on Monday
by the Ministry of Defence and SSAFA Forces Help, has received a
valuable kick-start, and will be able to start shipping these
gadgets out to Theatre in a matter of days.
Going forward, the Operational Welfare Fund represents
an excellent way in which members of the public can demonstrate
their support for Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas,
fighting to protect the UK’s national interest.
For the first time, men and women deployed on operations will be
given the opportunity to decide what the money raised for them
through the public’s generous donations will be spent on – and any
type of bid will be considered, whether it’s for provision of a
small luxury or assistance with a major project.
One of the key aims behind the new fund is to give members of the
public - who have consistently demonstrated their generosity
towards service personnel - a genuine alternative to sending their
own parcels to operational theatre in the run-up to Christmas.
Although it is recognised and appreciated that people have the
best of intentions when they send festive gifts out to troops, the
MoD is stressing that donating to the Operational Welfare Fund
represents a much more effective way of supporting the troops.
Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, the Deputy Chief of the Defence
Staff (Personnel), explains:
“We are extremely grateful for the levels support currently being
demonstrated from all walks of society which provide a telling
testimony to the respect and affection in which our Armed Forces
are held. Such support means a great deal to Service personnel,
particularly those on operations. The generosity and heartfelt
support of communities at home is important in keeping up morale,
often in very difficult conditions.
“However, experience over the past two years has shown that the
operational mail system can be swamped by the public’s generosity
with the result that the all important personal mail becomes
significantly delayed. While parcels from the public are without
doubt popular with recipients, the delays they inevitably cause to
the delivery of personal mail are considerably less welcome.
“The delivery of goodwill parcels to forward operating bases also
necessitates additional resupply flights and convoys which places
personnel at additional risk in what is already a difficult and
dangerous operating environment.
“If people could instead donate to the new SSAFA Operational
Welfare Fund, their generosity will go much, much further -
and without the unintended side-effects of delaying personal mail.
“I am delighted that we have been able to get the Operational
Welfare Fund well and truly under way by putting together
these excellent packages for personnel serving in forward
operating bases. As the fund is built up, I look forward to seeing
what ideas our soldiers, sailors and airmen have for other ways
the money can be used to make life on operations a little brighter.”
Armed Forces Minister, Bill Rammell MP, said:
“SSAFA Forces Help has a long history of doing great work to
improve the welfare of our service personnel, so I am delighted
that we have been able to team up with them to launch this
exciting project.
“The Operational Welfare Fund will make a real
difference to the men and women serving in theatre, and provides
an excellent means by which the public can show their support.
“I appreciate, just as members of the Armed Forces do, the
public’s great generosity when they choose to send Christmas
parcels out to the troops. Public support is such a great
morale-booster. But I really cannot stress enough that donating to
the Operational Welfare Fund is a much more effective way of
supporting our servicemen and women.”
More information about the fund, including how to
make a donation, can be found at
www.mod.uk/operationalwelfarefund
Alternatively telephone donations can be made by
calling 020 7463 9225 and cheques payable to the SSAFA
Operational Welfare Fund can be sent to:
SSAFA Forces Help FREEPOST NAT 19507 LONDON SE1
2BR
Notes to Editors
SSAFA OPERATIONAL WELFARE FUND Q&A
• Why has this fund been set up? The
Operational Welfare Fund has been set up to provide direct support
to those in the front line. The National Recognition Study
highlighted that there is a public desire to support our Armed
Forces and particularly those serving on operations. Unfortunately
the methods by which people have traditionally sought to show
their support, such as by sending parcels to operational theatre,
have had unintended negative side-effects.
• What will monies raised be spent on? The parameters for
what the money from the fund can be spent on are deliberately
broad. The intention is that the decisions on spending should be
initiated by those in theatre who have the best feel for where the
need is greatest. The fund could be spent on anything from
provision of decent coffee for those in transit right up to
assistance with a much larger project such as provision of a
welfare village. For our first project we are looking at ways of
improving life for those serving in Forward Operating Bases, where
there are fewer welfare facilities available than in main bases.
• Why has SSAFA Forces Help been chosen to administer this
fund? The Ministry of Defence felt it was felt important to
select a Tri-Service charity to facilitate this initiative. SSAFA
Forces Help (The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families
Association) works extensively with the MOD in other areas and it
has a proven track record of delivering.
• How long will the fund operate? There is no set
timeframe over which the fund will operate. When the requirement
ceases the fund will be wound up.
• Why isn't the MOD providing this additional
support? The MOD provides a comprehensive Deployment
Welfare Package which includes: a free mail service, 30 minutes of
telephone calls a week and internet access as well as live
Combined Service Entertainment shows. Feedback indicates that our
personnel believe the current package to be a good one. But that
does not mean that life can not be improved in the demanding
environments where service personnel are currently operating. This
fund will allow the public to have a directly beneficial impact on
the quality of life of those serving on the front line.
• How can I find out how my donation is being spent?
Both the MOD and SSAFA will show details of what the money
from this fund is being spent on their websites, so check
regularly for the latest details. The fund is also being supported
by the Daily Mirror newspaper, where the latest news
about the fund will be reported.
• Are the donations tax efficient? Charitable
donations can be tax efficient, depending on how monies are
donated. Giving using such methods as Give As You Earn / Payroll
Giving can provide tax relief. All donors will be given the option
to Gift Aid their donation, allowing SSAFA to reclaim the tax. For
further details please contact the SSAFA Fundraising Team, who
will be happy to assist.
• Who should I contact if I have a query about my
donation? The SSAFA Fundraising Team will be happy to answer
queries. Their details can be found on the SSAFA website - see
"External links".
For more information about this press release,
representatives of the media can contact Ben Wilkinson or Tim
Wiseman in the MoD Press Office on 0207 218 9006.
Contacts:
Geri Mahoney Moore
Phone: 020 7218 7958
geri.mahoney-moore113@defence.gsi.gov.uk