Armed Forces Covenant team shortlisted for national veterans awards
Shropshire Armed Forces Covenant team members Sarah Kerr Sean McCarthy and Caroline Maltby
Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Covenant team has been shortlisted, along with two Veterans who volunteer, in the English Veterans Awards 2023.
The council team, which runs the Armed Forces Outreach Programme, is in the running for an award in the health and wellbeing category and Sandy Beattie one of our Armed Forces Outreach Programme volunteers has been nominated for volunteer of the year.
John Adams has been nominated for the community award by Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight.
Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Outreach programme provides wraparound support for the veteran/ military community in Shropshire and beyond. The team provides information, advice and guidance, working with a number of the service charities to ensure that military personnel, veterans and their families are offered the help and support they deserve.
Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s armed forces champion, said:-
“For the team to have been shortlisted in the health and wellbeing category recognises the professionalism and dedication they and the volunteers bring to supporting veterans and the wider Armed Forces community in Shropshire.
“Shropshire Council is proud of its support for the Armed Forces Covenant and our ongoing commitment to outreach projects countywide.”
Sandy Beattie winning a Shrewsbury Town Council Mayor’s Award in April 2023
Sandy Beattie relocated to Shrewsbury after being medically discharged from the Army, and, unable to work because of his injuries he was keen to volunteer with the Outreach Project.
Kirstie added:-
“Sandy is relatable because of his own journey and experiences. His passion and enthusiasm for supporting fellow veterans, spouses and family members is second to none and he is always willing to go the extra mile.”
John Adams who has been nominated for the community award
Royal Navy veteran John Adams was nominated by Kirstie for the English Veterans community award.
She said:-
“On leaving the Royal Navy John came back to Shropshire and his family funeral business.
“He lost his mother at a young age and found his experience challenging. He was motivated to raise a petition to put death, dying and bereavement on the national curriculum and with a staggering 11,322 signature the Government has now agreed to review how this is rolled out in schools.
“John is the outgoing president of the National Association of Funeral Directors and in that role he has been instrumental in changing how we are supported in death. He has met King Charles to talk about his work nationally.
“He carries the Armed Forces’ motto service before self into his everyday life and really does make a difference.”
The English Veterans Awards celebrate highly successful Armed Forces Veterans who have made the transition from Military to civilian life and who have gone above and beyond and excelled in their relevant fields.
The 2023 awards. in association with The ABF Soldiers’ Charity and supporting the Royal Navy and Marines Charity, will be held on 21 September at the Village Hotel Bristol.
