Veterans Association Falklands War Memorial & Fund-Raising TAB 2022

On 2nd April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands. Argentina had claimed sovereignty over the islands for many years, confident Britain would never attempt to regain the islands by force. Despite the huge distance involved, the Falkland Islands being 8,000 miles away in the South Atlantic, Britain, under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher, undertook the extraordinary feat of assembling and sending a taskforce of warships and rapidly refitted merchant ships to the Falklands.

On 2 May, the Royal Navy submarine HMS Conqueror sank the Argentinian cruiser General Belgrano, with the loss of over 300 lives. After this incident, Argentinian ships remained in port. However, the Argentinian Airforce still posed a significant threat, and the Royal Navy did indeed lose several warships to attacks from Argentinian aircraft. Its Fleet Auxiliary ships were attacked at Fitzroy and the supply ship Atlantic Conveyor was also sunk. British forces landed on the islands on 21 May. After a series of engagements against a well dug-in but ill-trained conscripted Argentinian Army, they began the battle for Stanley, the islands’ capital on 11 June. The Argentinian forces surrendered on 14 June.

This year is the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War. The Serving and Veterans Association of Blaenau Gwent includes members who participated in the conflict and want to honour the 255 British forces personnel who lost their lives by walking 255 miles, a mile for every life lost, whilst raising money for some exceptional charities - Bladder and Bowel UK and the Hospice of the Valleys. The primary goals of the Serving & Veterans Association are to support one another, bring back the camaraderie we shared when we were serving in the forces, to support members who may be suffering from PTSD and other mental health conditions. We also want to have a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work, including working with other organisations to build an understanding of the Armed Forces and how they help organise and support events and charities within the local area. This event will be a huge challenge for us, but we will support each other to complete it and raise money for charity in memory of all those who lost their lives or sustained life changing injuries both mental and physical.

Last year we completed our first hugely successful charity event, raising an incredible amount of money for our two chosen charities. The welcome home we received was both inspiring and emotional but raised the spirits of our community after months of lockdown due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. We can only hope that you all support us in the same way as last year by supporting our charities and joining us to remember the 255 who never returned.

This year’s event will commence on Tuesday the 7th June from the National Arboretum in Stafford, where we will lay a wreath at the Falkland Islands Memorial in honour of the 255 who lost their lives and officially start the long walk home through Llandudno in north Wales heading south to Crickhowell, where we will rest for the last night before our final walk to our home town Brynmawr.

Bladder & Bowel UK

Bladder & Bowel UK provide information and advice for all adults, children and young people with bladder and bowel issues and for their families and carers, as well as the professionals who support them.

The Bladder & Bowel UK team aims to improve awareness and solutions to bladder and bowel problems across the nation. They offer a range of resources and leaflets, continence supplies online, a directory of bladder and bowel products, free confidential advice via their Bladder & Bowel UK helpline, and training days for healthcare professionals.

Bladder and bowel problems are common but are often not discussed. This makes it difficult to seek help. Many people believe that problems are a natural part of early childhood and older adulthood. However, it is important to know that they can affect anyone at any stage in life, they may be related to other medical problems, to disabilities, or may occur in people who are otherwise well. Regardless of cause, there are a wide choice of treatments, products and management options that can help.

Hospice of the Valleys

Hospice of the Valleys provides specialist palliative care to the people of Blaenau Gwent. They collaborate with people who have a life limiting condition such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. Specialist palliative care can help patients and their families with physical, emotional, social, and financial problems that are difficult to control. We can help to plan, provide support at the end of life and through bereavement.