Veterans celebrated for community action

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury with Rifleman Paul Jacobs

Speeches from the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Alister Brady, President and CEO of G4S, Gordon Brockington, and Rifleman Paul Jacobs thanked winners and guests for their service and commitment to the community since leaving the armed forces.

Ashford

• Tia-Maria Gregory is a former member of the Women’s Royal Army Corps who served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Germany. She organised the reopening of the Ashford Royal British Legion branch four years ago creating a ‘Flagship’ branch thanks to the community work she delivers. She is the driving force behind a lot of the events that the RBL attend to promote the values and causes of the RBL. She is the Branch Community Support Officer and is also the Branch Chair. She is constantly creating ideas and that will promote the RBL and assist Veterans.
• David Patterson of the Royal British Legion, Ashford is a former Warrant Officer of the Royal Logistic Corps and is one of the few Warrant Officers to have ever held the most appointment of Conductor which is the most senior of all non-commissioned appointments in the British Army and is limited to a maximum 9 Warrant Officers at any one time. Upon leaving the Army David set about forming a Guild, in which previous holders of the appointment can maintain connections with their former colleagues and the Corps which they served.

Bromley

• Mike Mercer is an RAF Veteran and a beneficiary of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Having lost his wife several years ago, he found himself lonely and socially isolated and attends the RAFBF Kent Reminiscence Group in Maidstone and the Every Generation Group in Birchington on a monthly basis. Involvement in these groups has revealed an absolute different character and someone who is a real inspiration. As a result Mike decided to take up a formal voluntary role to help others. He now volunteers for the Royal Air Force Association; Connections for Life Service as a 1:1 telephone befriender – giving back his time to other RAF veterans who need support.

Canterbury district

• Canterbury for Ukraine Ladies’ Choir uses the power of music to support the mental health of the families linked to the choir. It is a platform to ensure those needing deeper support can find it, it is a means to ensure no one is lost or forgotten. Every chorister has a personal story related to the war, having fathers, brothers, other family members serving in the Ukrainian Army, or friends and relatives injured – or having lost homes because of the attacks.
• Anne Hill has served as the Poppy Appeal Organiser for Whitstable for more than 40 years, raising up to £30,000 a year by organising events, speaking at engagements and contacting hundreds of organisations locally to ensure that they will be presenting a wreath at the cenotaph. Between 2006 and 2023 she helped co-ordinate the annual walk of remembrance in Whitstable and still sits on the organising committee of Whitstable Remembers.
• Jan Davis is a dedicated member of the Armed Forces Veterans community at the Spring Lane Veterans hub and supports those who are a little less confident to feel more comfortable. Jan has an empathy and understanding when she is supporting others who may struggle. Her spirit, her dedication to the veteran community helps tackle loneliness and isolation. Jan is the glue that holds the veterans community together.
• Nigel Schofield was a founder member of the Spring Lane Veterans Hub and has been a key person in the creation and maintenance of its wellbeing garden. He is especially supportive to another Veteran who has dementia and takes the time to talk and listen to him and make him feel part of the group. Nigel encourages him to take part in activities and has a laugh with him.
• Sue Elson is the kindest and supportive member of the Spring Lane Veterans Hub, always volunteering to help out when needed. She has a smile on her face for everyone and is a great listener. Sue’s positivity has a ripple effect on those around her which encourages a culture of compassion and social connection in the hub.
• Ella Eastwood from EKC Canterbury College wowed the judging panel through her work coordinating students from Canterbury College to create a beautiful and thoughtful tribute for Remembrance Week. The stunning poppy display and heartfelt readings by students on stage, set the tone for a powerful week of reflection and remembrance. Students created personalised thank you cards for local veterans shared with veterans in the run-up to Christmas.
• Catching Lives is a day centre based in Canterbury, supporting people experiencing homelessness across East Kent, including veterans. Every year, more than 500 people access its services and in 2025, this included 14 clients who have been in the Armed Forces. Clients can access essential facilities including breakfast and lunch, showers, laundry, computer access and bag storage, alongside tailored individual support to help people to improve outcomes in housing, health and social connection. They signpost clients to other support services including working with an Ambassador from the Royal British Legion within and outside of the centre to meet with and support clients who have been in the Armed Forces and are using the services.
• Joan Crossland-Page quietly goes about raising money for several organisations including but not restricted to Royal British Legion and the RBVE. Joan was one of 30,000 people to take part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out in support of Veterans and raised £500 for the charity.
• Toby Williams has founded and leads a local community initiative called Moving Minds, that delivers mental health support for adults in the Canterbury area. With 90 clients and over 12 trained volunteers. Toby uses his expertise-by-experience to benefit local veterans as well as the wider local community to support mental health and wellbeing.
• Canterbury Branch: Royal Marines Association supports veterans facing loneliness, isolation, and practical challenges. They provide mentoring, fundraising and volunteering to benefit ex-military, their families and the community in Kent. The team has created a safe space for comrades facing difficult transitions to civilian life.

Dover

• Stephen Fouche is the site Chaplain at William Harvey Hospital and a veteran, having served in the armed forces parachute regiment in South Africa. He volunteers to support veterans and attends the Trust’s Armed Forces Community and Veteran Aware Working Group and is a volunteer with the Sea Cadets, acting as a role model for the cadets in terms of his caring and empathetic approach, along with having personal experience of serving in the armed forces.
• Neil Chester is the Armed Forces Lead for Dover District Council, serves on Kent County Council’s Civil Military Partnership Board and he was instrumental in creating Dover District Councils Veterans’ Guidebook which has been held up as ‘What good looks like’ across the country. He staged an event called ‘Rise and Thrive’ along with support agencies for veterans, those currently serving and also cadets.
• Anita Walton has been the driving force behind Mess Tins and Banter, a monthly breakfast club attended by 40 veterans and held at the Royal Marines Association Club in Deal on the second Wednesday of the month. The events are open to all services, not just the Royal Marines. Anita and the team greets veterans with a smile and a welcome and will always try to help those struggling.
• Mel Cooper of the Department for Work and Pensions demonstrated exceptional dedication, persistence and compassion supporting a female veteran who was experiencing severe and prolonged domestic abuse. The housing association failed to take action to help relocate the woman. Mel refused to accept inaction, consistently advocated on the veteran’s behalf, coordinated with multiple agencies, and pursuing every possible route including lobbying the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. The work secured a move to a different area of the country.
• Kevin Eaton of the Parachute Regimental Association fought in the Falklands and until recently ran the Parachute Regimental Association branch in Dover. He has just been appointed as the Association district leader while still able to support his local branch. Through his branch he provided support and funding to assist those in need, supplying finances and walking aids to older Para Vets, as well as ensuring a presence at funerals to say goodbye to servicemen.

Gravesend

• Iris Smith and the team from T.J’s Public House in Gravesend run a veterans breakfast group for 60 veterans and their families largely funded at the pub’s expense. This initiative has created a safe, inclusive environment where veterans can connect, share experiences, and feel part of a supportive community. It also provides an opportunity for families to come together, strengthening local bonds and reducing isolation for those who may otherwise feel disconnected.

Maidstone

• Ian Lofting is a Department of Work and Pensions veterans champion and was praised by a Veterans Advocate in the NHS for his speedy action and dedication to support ex-military. “Ian has always proactively picked up the phone and spoken to the veteran with kindness and empathy and set himself to the task to sort the person’s problems. I can’t thank him enough for his work and dedication to the veteran community.”
• Royal British Veterans Enterprise is one of Kent’s most impactful wellbeing organisations, transforming the lives of disadvantaged veterans through employment, housing, and community support. It’s Kent village is the heart of its mission providing homes, stability, and a community where more than 340 veterans and families rebuild their lives each year. RBVE creates jobs, provides homes, and builds communities, and nowhere is this more visible than in Kent.

Thanet

• Tony Gander works for Kent Fire and Rescue Service and while his remit is home safety, his passion is the veteran community. His ability to identify and build a bridge of trust with “hidden” veterans during his visits who are often vulnerable and socially isolated has led to many in need being successfully referred to welfare organisations and support groups. The success of Tony’s approach has influenced the strategy of the RAF Benevolent Fund and led to a national project to replicate these methods across the UK.
• Colin Powell has been the Chairman of the Ramsgate Royal Navy Association for 10 years and has Branch Ceremonial and Welfare responsibilities as well as running the Club house taking shifts in the bar, kitchen or behind the BBQ. Without his dedication and commitment the Ramsgate RNA would simply not function as successfully as it does – delivering a mix of support, providing welfare, and a place of camaraderie for Veterans and their families.
• Olivia Gollick – before leaving to start a career in Chiropody she worked at The Veterans Association hub in Birchington regularly helping some to attend hospital or GP appointments, been their advocate and spoke up for them when they felt they were not being heard. Olivia has made home visits to check on their welfare outside of working hours and even has run errands for them. Even after leaving she continues to check in on everyone and offers help and support.
• Michelle Simmonds of the Royal British Legion impressed the judges with her approach to training care and support staff to provide the best person-centred care for veterans at the Royal British Legion care home, Maurice House, in Broadstairs. Michelle leads on the gold standards framework, supporting college students through health and social care courses, new staff inductions, and ensuring that end of life care is second to none.
• Mary Wade has been a volunteer at the Royal British Legion care home, Maurice House, Broadstairs for 16 years and supports residents in a range of ways including providing 1-2-1 shopping trips. She acts a co-ordinator for all the volunteers making sure each event has the right amount of helpers with the correct skills. Mary even hosts events in her own home to raise money for the RBL amenity funds and welcoming residents to afternoon teas all year round.
• Lorraine Newcombe of Invicta Lodge, Churchill Living in Margate has delivered outstanding support for veterans and the wider community hosting the East Kent Veterans Christmas Party at Invicta Lodge, hosting veterans’ information sessions focusing on the importance of Wills, Trusts and Power of Attorney and organising fundraising events such as a fashion show in support of East Kent Mind.
• Kevin Martin has been instrumental in getting the Margate Royal British Legion branch back open after many years of being closed. As Vice Chairman and Events Director, Kevin is always at the forefront of planning and organisation club events raising much needed funds for the Margate Club and the RBL as a whole. He spends countless hours supporting the club and his eye for detail when planning events is superb.
• Dave Gear has been the backbone of the running of the Unity House Club. Without Dave’s dedication the club would have collapsed. Dave has been a vital part of the formation of the re-launched new Branch of the Margate Royal British Legion, now based at the Unity Club. Dave helps organise many events for the members. Dave took a major role in collecting for the Poppy Appeal in Margate last year which was vital for the success of this operation as the Poppy Appeal in Margate has been struggling for some time to be effective.
• Margate Team of G4S Patient Transport organize an annual veterans’ outing. It has become a cornerstone of the company’s calendar. With a significant number of veterans based at the Margate site, this feels very personal for staff delivering services. The annual outing is a vital connection point for those who have served. By ensuring this event is a success every year, the Margate team fosters a sense of belonging and honor.
• Birchington Royal British Legion embraces the values of the Legion ensuring that veterans are looked after within their community. They lead on Remembrance in their area ensuring that the village participate in all aspects of Remembrance, but also supporting younger veterans. The branch is led by Brian, who is the poppy organiser for the area, and Max. There is a strong link with Maurice House with the branch supporting events at the care home.

West Kent

• Embers Woodcraft helps serving and ex military, blue light workers, NHS staff, as well as train drivers and guards who are suffering with poor mental health. The organisation uses the tranquil setting of woodland to provide a safe space where clients can talk about their own mental health problems. This is a camping experience with guest speakers, axe throwing and air rifle shooting. Participants tackle nature tasks. The woodland setting brings down cortisol levels and is highly regarded by veterans using the service.