29th June 2024 marks Armed Forces Day, recognising the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community – including those currently serving, the families of those in service, cadets and veterans. The Armed Forces continue to be at the heart of Corps Security as inspired by Captain Sir Edward Walter, who founded the Corps of Commissionaires in 1859 with the mission to provide employment to veterans of the Crimean War.
We continue that legacy today with the Corps Veterans Association (CVA). This is a group only open to members who served in the United Kingdom or Commonwealth Armed Forces. Some paid memberships are open to those who have a close connection with the Armed Forces, or who wish to stand in solidarity. Five principles lead the CVA:
- To foster and support esprit de corps and comradeship for serving and retired members of The Corps of Commissionaires/Corps Security who have served in the UK or Commonwealth armed forces.
- To actively promote and support veterans of UK & Commonwealth armed forces.
- To organise and assist with charitable fundraising for military & civilian charities.
- To support Corps Security in acts of remembrance.
- To support the Corps Security veteran community facing financial or personal hardship.
Mike Bluestone, Executive Director at Corps Consult, serves as honorary president of the association, while Nigel Horne, Corps’ Divisional director, chairs the committee. Other committee members include Scott Hudson, Sharon Smith, Darrell Jacques and Tom Scott as the standard bearer.
We are proud to fundraise for veteran charities Combat Stress, The Army Benevolent Fund (formerly ABF The Soldiers’ Charity) and Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA). Last year, we raised almost £24,000 through multiple initiatives lead by members across Corps Security.
While not every veteran has PTSD after leaving the forces, a study from the University of Portsmouth (2020) sadly found that almost 40% of UK security officers surveyed had PTSD symptoms. While we continue to fundraise for the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity, Combat Stress, we ensure that veteran physical and mental health remain a priority in how we raise funds.
Our March in March event this year saw our national accounts team embark on a 26-mile walk from Eastbourne to Brighton. They spent the day traversing the coastline and hills, ranging from 7 feet to 500 feet, and successfully raised an incredible £7,400.
Members also took part in a London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2024, which raised over £5,000. The team was comprised of ex-veterans, mental health champions, and security officers. They ran by 17 iconic London landmarks, including Big Ben, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge.
Other fundraising activities last year included an ultra-marathon, a medicine ball challenge, and a Corps football match. We also have donated uniforms to Suited and Booted, a charity helping vulnerable men get into employment. In June of last year, Corps took part in the SSAFA’s annual 13 Bridges Challenge, where over 680 walkers from multiple organisations walked 10 miles, across 13 of London’s Bridges where the overall effort raised £83,000 for the charity. We will take part in the 13 Bridges Challenge again this year on 29th June.
It’s hard to forget our Tour de Corps fundraiser in April 2023. Through snow and rain, cyclists from all our mainland offices took part in a 7-day 750-mile cycle across the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Brecon Beacons, reaching nearly 10,000m above sea level. The group raised an incredible £11,000 for Combat Stress. Our event was so successful it won the Challenge Event of the Year Award at Third Sector’s Business Charity Awards.
We’d like to thank everyone who took part in our events to raise such a staggering amount. Our veterans not only served the country but continue to serve their community every day. We thank you for your service.
