The Not Forgotten

06/10/2026

🎄 A Christmas at Kensington Palace 🎄

Without wishing to use the festive C-word too early....who fancies a beautiful festive outing with The Not Forgotten to 'A Christmas at Kensington Palace?

We are delighted that Historic Royal Palaces have invited The Not Forgotten to bring a group of our beneficiaries to Kensington Palace for the day on Saturday 5th December, to explore the Palace and its beautiful Christmas displays as well as lunch and the chance to socialise.

Steeped in history, Kensington Palace is one of London’s most beloved Royal landmarks. A Royal home since the 17th century and the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria, today it remains a working Royal residence and offers a unique glimpse into centuries of royal life, traditions, and stories.

We will be welcomed with drinks and biscuits on arrival at 10.30am in the exclusive State Bedchamber, which will serve as our private base for the day. From there, you’ll be free to explore the Palace at your own pace, taking in its beautiful decorations set against the backdrop of its rich royal history.

We will regroup for a relaxed sandwich lunch and an opportunity to socialise with fellow TNF guests, before enjoying further free time to continue touring the palace and its festive surroundings. The event will conclude at 3:30pm.

Register your interest in attending this event at https://link.militaryapp.org/tnf/802K4H

(Please note, you must be a registered beneficiary of The Not Forgotten to register your wish to attend. Registering interest unfortunately does not guarantee attendance; we operate a ballot system to select guests for our events.)

29/09/2026

Ian and his Epic Wheelbarrow Yomp!

For those of you following the progress of Ian Pomeroy on his 300 mile wheelbarrow yomp around the coast of the UK - an update...

From North Yorkshire Ian travelled up through the North East and into Scotland; up through the Highlands and all the way to John O'Groats.

Not only is Ian covering vast distances, raising awareness for The Not Forgotten and traveling alongside other veterans and supporters; he has also visited prisons such as HMP Perth, stayed at military stations and messes, delivered a match day ball to Hebburn Town FC in Newcastle, and joined TNF supermarket collections in Newcastle and Dundee... A huge thank you to all the communities who have welcome Ian and his barrow.
Newcastle Tesco Extra in the Community
Scottish Prison Service

Following his Scottish tour he crossed to Northern Ireland where yesterday he visited HMP Magilligan, spending time with veteran inmates.

Ian is a prison officer and Royal Marine veteran, who knows the impact support from a charity like The Not Forgotten can have. He has been accompanied throughout his 300 mile journey by friend and fellow RM veteran BJ Farrimond 👏

About his epic fundraising, Ian says:
"It’s a way to stand with the men and women who’ve carried far heavier burdens than I or the barrow ever will. Every mile is a reminder: service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off, and neither should our support."

Follow Ian's journey updates at https://www.justgiving.com/page/wheelbarrowyomp

28/09/2026

🛳 Dunkirk Little Ships - still sailing 86 years on...🛳

A group of TNF veterans had a wonderful day last weekend taking part in the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (official) annual Veterans Cruise.

18 'Little Ships' - vessels who were there at the evacuation of Dunkirk in June 1940 - sailed along the Thames as they do annually every September, to commemorate the courage, sacrifice and service shown by so many ordinary people that day in World War Two, carrying around 140 veterans including TNF beneficiaries.

One of our group, 93-year-old Royal Artillery veteran Robert Wigg, found the experience particularly emotional as his father had been at the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 - his vessel was sunk but he thankfully survived.

His daughter Julie said "I just do not have words for today - thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have given to Dad. He has had a fabulous and emotional day. Dad was able to pay homage to my Grandad, who was sunk at Dunkirk - and thankfully survived. What incredible bravery those men showed who answered the call. Thank you are small words, but what you have given us today we will carry always."

Our thanks to the owners of the beautiful boats for hosting us, to Weybridge Mariners Club for the warm welcome, to the personnel from HMS Collingwood and the Sea Cadets including Sunbury and Walton Sea Cadets who looked after the guests, and of course to the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (official) for inviting our veterans.

25/09/2026

😎Summer snapshot - Brands Hatch Track Day 🏎

In August we enjoyed one of the most exciting events on The Not Forgotten calendar - our Veterans Track Day at Brands Hatch circuit! 🏎

Our group of injured and isolated veterans and serving personnel get an experience of a lifetime being driven around the famous race track in top of the range supercars - the beautiful vehicles all kindly brought along for the day by their owners.

An experience like this can intervene in somebody's life just when they are feeling at their most low and vulnerable - coaxing them out of their usual environment and showing them that they can do anything they set their mind to, surrounded by the right support and camaraderie from fellow veterans and service-people.

We are indebted to the incredible generosity that makes it possible for The Not Forgotten to lay this event on - Martin Lewis, David Post and Samuel Barber our sponsors; Richard Davis for coordinating the drivers and cars; Malcolm Scopes for organising all the volunteers; all the car owners and drivers who share their time and beautiful vehicles with us; and Peter Alexander, Nick Rice, Chris, and the team of marshals and safety staff at Brands Hatch.

"Don't give me drugs, don't give me therapy, I don't need white coats: give me something like this day, it has cleansed me." - Jeff

23/09/2026

⛵The Dutch Dash ⛵

From Hull to Holland with CatZero Humber

This summer a group of ten TNF veterans set sail down the Humber aboard the yacht 'Cat Zero' and set a course for Scheveningen in the Netherlands - an unforgettable experience generously funded for The Not Forgotten by The Royal Marines Charity and Trinity House.

The group of Royal Naval and Royal Marine veterans, male and female, with ages raging from their 30s to their 60s, had never met before they embarked. They immediately bonded and stepped up to the plate as they were guided by the experienced crew from CatZero Humber in manning the 72-foot yacht all the way across the North Sea (a HUGE thank you to CatZero and our funders for making this adventure possible...)

Some of the group were partially sighted, unsteady on their feet, or fighting the unseen demons of PTSD and post-service trauma; they all threw themselves into the challenge, mastering skills they never knew they owned and witnessing seascapes never to be forgotten.

One participant, Sharon, described the impact of the trip on her mental wellbeing:
"For years my head has been so noisy with CPTSD, but whilst standing at the helm on a quiet night watch watching the most amazing sun rise my head was quiet and I felt a peace. It has had a profound effect for me and a healing one too. I cannot wait to sail again. Thank you so much for the chance to breathe! Lifesaving is not an understatement."

Another participant Simon also put the experience into a beautiful poetic account:

"Where once loud sea shanties echoed across the deck, they now linger in quiet whispers. Sound dissolves into the wind, camouflaged amongst the breeze. The creaks of the rigging and the tackle echo with history.

Everyone is on a journey. Everyone has a view. Yet no two people are travelling exactly the same course, and no two people see the same horizon.

The North Sea rises. The North Sea falls.

As the rigging, sails, blocks and tackle hold the vessel together, common experiences, shared history, banter and stories hold the crew together. Friendships begin much like a bowline or a reef knot: awkward at first, but with time they become instinctive.

Like any voyage, we are not simply underway—we are making way."

Read the rest of Simon's beautiful account of the trip: https://thenotforgotten.org/the-dutch-dash/

21/09/2026

😎Summer snapshot - North East Regional Connect Week

As we inch into autumn 🍁 we're taking a look back at all the fantastic summer events we've enjoyed over Summer 2026 😎

Our North East Regional Connect Week at the end of July took us to Hardwick Hall Hotel in County Durham for a Garden Party, and Riverside Stadium Middlesbrough and Elland Road Leeds for two of our '28 For 28' parties 🎉- plus our Head of Events Rosie Thompson and her team clocked up more of their miles for their 28 For 28 challenge along the way.

From afternoon tea and the conga, to the 'pasta and marshmallow challenge' and some iconic football backdrops this was a week to remember, bringing like-minded veterans together for friendship and fun. A huge thank you to the venues for providing such warm hospitality, and to our guests of honour H.M. Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham Michael Butterwick CBE DL and the Mayor of Sedgefield, Councillor Mel Carr.

As one guest in Leeds put it - "I don’t get to mix with other veterans very often. My service career was a big part of who I am, I love being with people who just “get me”, no explanations needed. It means the world, it really does."

See more photos of our North East Regional Connect Week at https://thenotforgotten.org/image-gallery/north-east-regional-connect-week/

16/09/2026

DUNDEE - CAN YOU HELP?
EDIT - THIS IS SATURDAY 19TH (not Friday as originally advertised)

LAST MINUTE SHOUT FOR VOLUNTEERS!

We have collection at Tesco Extra at South Road in Dundee this Saturday 19th September, and we need a few more volunteers!

Ian Pomeroy will be there as part of his marathon fundraising Wheelbarrow Yomp so there should be a great atmosphere.

If you can spare a day or even just a couple of hours to collect at Tesco Dundee on Saturday please email [email protected] as soon as possible!

16/09/2026

We had such fun at our Victoria station collection last week - who’s up for the next one?

On Weds 23rd September we’ll be collecting at Paddington station in London, and on Tues 24th November we’ll be at Glasgow Central Station…

Can you help with either of these?

A day at a station collection with us doesn’t just raise vital funds for the charity, it’s genuinely a great fun day out for our volunteers - a chance to meet other veterans and spend time together doing something really meaningful.

Like to give it a go? Please email [email protected] to let her know

14/09/2026

14/09/2026

Fabulous Fundraisers - The Jive Aces (S)wing Walk ✈

This has to be one of the most daring fundraisers we've seen for The Not Forgotten....!
In August, the incredible Ian from the jive and swing band The Jive Aces (long time supporters of The Not Forgotten) donned a vintage flying helmet and took to the skies for a (s)wing walk - standing atop a biplane as it soared through the skies.

Ian said beforehand that he felt rather apprehensive - "But that's part of the fun isn't it?!"
"There's a lot of air pressure when you're not used to it - going at over 100 miles an hour! It's difficult to turn your head, but you can just see all of the landscape down below... You're OUTSIDE an aeroplane; you're literally flying, like Superman or something!"

Ever conscious of just why he was undertaking this daring feat, Ian said it "symbolises the courage and resilience of our veterans, inspiring me to push my limits in support of their cause."

📹 See the video of him in action - footage from Ian's plane-cam up in the air as well as his Jive Aces band mates playing on the groud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoKPiHN4GiE

A HUGE thank you from The Not Forgotten to Ian and his whole team for this challenge - which has raised over £1,600 for TNF 🎉