BFBS presents £10,000 ‘Big Salute’

Big Salute, the BFBS Annual Forces Fundraising Campaign has raised  £10,000 for Veterans Aid. A cheque was handed to the charity's Communications Manager Glyn Strong on air by CEO Nick Pollard who warmly endorsed VA's work.

Glyn told listeners “It costs just over £5,000 a year to look after a single Veteran for a year in our New Belvedere House hostel – this marvelous contribution translates as two lives for 12 months.”

CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy added afterwards “BFBS/SSVC plays a key role in our work; by bringing us to the attention of the serving community we hope that the few who may need our help years later will come to us before they end up in crisis.”

Big Salute aims to raise funds for Forces charities by encouraging the BFBS audience and BFBS staff worldwide to give generously and get involved with fundraising events.

The 2010/11 campaign ended in April, and the year’s total was divided equally between five beneficiary charities – Veterans Aid, BLESMA, St Dunstan’s, Combat Stress and FAB Holidays.

The 2011/12 campaign will launch on 7 May at the Army v Navy rugby match at Twickenham, where the Big Salute is the nominated charity of the day.

BFBS TV and Radio will be launching a ‘money can’t buy’ auction around its live coverage of the match; showing films about the work of the five nominated beneficiaries and delivering celebrity messages of support.

Viewers and listeners will be encouraged to donate, bid, hold their own Big Salute event, run a marathon for – or anything that will attract funds.

See: http://www.bfbs.com/bigsalute/    and  http://www.armynavymatch.org/