North regional winners

A company training injured soldiers with the skills to set up their own locksmith business has been recognised in The Royal British Legion's Friends of The Forces Awards.

Anvil Locksmiths in Whitley Bay has been given the prestigious award for the exceptional support they continue to offer the British Armed Forces. They have won the Corporate category for the North in recognition of the work they do to provide trainees with full tool kits and the necessary knowledge to set up on their own. They have so far trained 16 ex-Service personnel and continue to invite more soldiers from Headley Court to enrol.

The other winners in the North were Charlotte Bradford who won the Individual award, Croft Primary School in the Youth category and Support our Veterans won the Community Group category.

Anvil Locksmiths

Peter Price, founder of Anvil Locksmiths said, "My son-in-law and I are very honoured to be given this award. It has been a wonderful experience to work with these lads and I am very humbled that The Royal British Legion has considered us for this accolade."

A former soldier, Andy Grant, commented, "The generosity shown by Peter and Gareth to injured members of HM Armed Forces has been humbling and uplifting. This award recognises that gestures of this kind make a difference to the boys and girls who serve on the front line."

Simon Jones, a former Marine commented, "The knowledge I gained in such a short space of time was incredible, and thanks to Anvil Locksmiths I will be utilising my new found skills to the best of my ability. This award is well and truly deserved."

Andy Grant and Simon Jones are now in the process of starting their own locksmith business following their training with Anvil Locksmiths.

Andrew Drake, County Manager for The Royal British Legion said, "Anvil Locksmiths has put in an exceptional effort to offer help and support to the Armed Forces family and we are extremely pleased to be recognising their dedication through this award.  We received hundreds of excellent entries from across the North, however the judges were incredibly impressed by the outstanding work that Anvil Locksmiths has been doing. On behalf of the British Armed Forces, The Royal British Legion would like to say a huge thank you to Anvil Locksmiths."

Charlotte Bradford

Charlotte, an A-Level student from Warrington, has helped a local Forces charity with a fundraising competition for the local area, as well as assisting Nottingham University students with their fundraising activities in Liverpool city centre. She has also organised fundraising activities in her sixth form college in Warrington.

Charlotte Bradford said, "I am beyond amazed at having won this award, and feel as though I could never have done enough and will never be able to do enough for a charity and cause I believe so strongly in. So I will keep working towards that."

David Murray, The Royal British Legion County Manager commented, "Every poppy sold makes a real difference and Charlotte has sold thousands. She has put in an exceptional effort to help and support the Armed Forces family and the judges were incredibly impressed by the outstanding work that Charlotte has been doing. We are enormously grateful that she has been recognised for her dedication and from all of your friends and colleagues past and present - thank you Charlotte."

Charlotte has been shortlisted for the National award in the Individual category.

Croft Primary School

The children of Class 4 from Croft Primary School wrote letters and prayers to the Yorkshire Regiment, which were displayed at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. A combat teddy bear, named 'Alfie' was also sent out to the soldiers and the class was sent regular photographs of his adventures.

Mrs Parker, Class 4's teacher said, "We are absolutely delighted about winning this award. The children loved seeing photos of 'Alfie' and worked hard to write their prayers and letters to the Yorkshire Regiment to show their support."

Sergeant Terry Garvey of the Yorkshire Regiment commented, "This award recognises the hard work the children put in for the Regiment and it meant a lot to those of us who were serving that the children were thinking of us."

Croft Primary School has been shortlisted for the National award in the Youth category. 

Support our Veterans

The Support our Veterans (SOV) community group donates food items to homeless veterans, provides hampers for ex-Service families on low incomes and purchases televisions and arranges adaptations to homes for ex-Service personnel.

They also provide advice to veterans relating to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and are currently planning a 150-strong pilgrimage to Normandy in June this year.

Sean Pullen, Chairman of the Group said, "Our initial reaction to winning this award was one of shock, not least because we had no idea we had been nominated. However, we feel very honoured and proud to receive this award."

George Maim, 86, a local veteran who has received support from the Group commented, "Support Our Veterans deserve a medal for what they do for the Armed Forces community." 

This was reiterated by, Sergeant Paul Radcliffe who received parcels from the group while serving in Afghanistan. He said, "Support Our Veterans listen to the veterans and those who continue to serve in the Armed Forces and can adapt to the needs of us all."