Thank you for helping veterans like us, there are no words that can be written to express how much it helps.
From the 18th to the 26th of March, Mike Warren led a group of veterans back to the Falklands for the first time since 1982.
The group was particularly keen to pay their respects at the HMS Coventry memorial on Pebble Island during their pilgrimage, which is dedicated to the crew members who lost their lives on the 25th of May 1982.
The trip was to help enable the veterans to combat feelings of loss and guilt, to say goodbye to good friends and fellow shipmates, whilst making new memories and lasting friendships. Tony Williams, one of the Veterans who returned to the island, shared with us:
“This trip has helped me enormously with my state of mind, as I always wanted to go to the HMS Coventry memorial and pay my respects to my good friend, Steve Tonkin, who was sadly lost that fateful day.
“I could well have been on HMS Coventry as I applied for the draft from FMG. However, Steve also wanted it, so I stood aside and let him take it… sadly he was killed in action. It could have been me but for fate.
“This I have struggled with of late and have sought counselling for it.
“The opportunity to go to the memorial has and will help my state of mind and has allowed me to come to terms with it. For this I am extremely grateful to the charity for facilitating my return to the islands, pay my respects and meet 9 strangers who will no doubt become lifelong friends.”
“Thank you to all those who shared their experiences with us. We love to hear that our funding is making a difference. The RNRMC and Greenwich hospital Remembrance and Comradeship grants are available to support our beneficiaries by enabling them to participate in remembrance and comradeship events and activities. “
