Foreword By The Chairman

I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as Chairman of Trustees for the Newark Patriotic Fund (NPF). I also recognise the challenge of following in the footsteps of our immediate past Chairman, Keith Girling – his will definitely be a hard act to follow!

The NPF is now in its 17^th year and  I am very proud to be associated and actively involved with the running and administration of the Fund. Although relatively new to the NPF, since 1990 I have been involved with other service charities in various capacities including as Chairman of two RAFA Branches, a Branch Welfare Officer and until most recently, President of the RAFA Newark & District Branch. Through these roles and as a veteran of some 26 years service, I am, like my NPF colleagues, very focussed on and mindful of the needs and welfare of our ex-service community members and their families.

Whilst there are some other 1,842 military charities in the UK at present, the NPF is unique in only serving our local joint armed services community and as importantly, we are not hide-bound by the bureaucracy and restrictions of the larger charities. Also, not being in competition, gives us the ability to work closely with other like organisations to ensure we can get best help and support for our local service community members’ needs.  

In addition to fundraising and only through the continuing efforts our dedicated team of friends and volunteers, we are able to organise events and activities for the well-being of our local services community. As a truly voluntary organisation, our Trustees, volunteers and helpers all give their time absolutely free-of-charge, thus all monies raised by the NPF are wholly used for our charitable endeavours and our support goes to those who really need it!

Kind Regards