Lest We Forget Association

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £249,953 (2023 expenditure)
• Annual Income: £371,247 (2023)
• Grant Range: Varies - supports organizations and directly funds programmes
• Geographic Focus: England and Scotland (primarily South East England and Home Counties for direct services)
• Decision Time: Not publicly documented
• Application Method: No public application process - contact charity directly

Contact Details

• Website: www.lestweforgetassociation.org.uk
• Email: info@lestweforgetassociation.org.uk
• Phone: 07735532006 / 01372 729530
• Address: Treetops, Mylor Downs, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5UL

Overview

The Lest We Forget Association was founded in November 1922 at a public meeting in Kingston-upon-Thames, originally formed under the War Charities Act to support returning sick and wounded servicemen from the First World War. Now over 100 years old, the charity has evolved from its original “Tea Concerts” to running a comprehensive programme of more than 90 annual events and making grants to veteran-supporting organisations across the UK.

The Association operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with no premises, paid officials, or staff - all administrative work is undertaken by volunteers in their own homes. This lean structure means expenses are minimal (limited to postage and printing), allowing the vast majority of funds to go directly to beneficiaries.

The charity supports disabled serving and former Armed Forces and Merchant Navy personnel, their carers, and families. In recent years, their remit has broadened to include grant-making to other veteran charities, funding scholarships at the Open University through the Disabled Veterans' Scholarships Fund, and supporting organisations addressing veteran unemployment, homelessness, and mental health issues.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Direct Service Provision

• Entertainment and outings programme for veterans' homes (80+ events per year)
• Day trips including Thames river boat excursions on wheelchair-accessible vessels
• Wimbledon Tennis Championship visits (through partnership with All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club)
• In-house entertainment at care homes including concerts and parties
• Founder's Day Concert at Royal Star & Garter (held annually on 14th January)

Grants to Other Veteran Organisations

The Association makes grants to veteran charities including:

• PTSD Resolution (mental health support for veterans and families)
• Reading Force (shared reading programmes for Forces families)
• Turn to Starboard (helping Armed Forces personnel readjust after tours)
• Royal Star and Garter (care for veterans with disability or dementia)
• The Naval Children's Charity (wellbeing of children from RN/RM/RFA families)
• River Thames Boat Project (accessible river trips)

Educational Scholarships

• Lest We Forget Scholarships at the Open University as part of the Disabled Veterans' Scholarships Fund (DVSF)
• The DVSF provides full scholarships for injured veterans (210+ participants to date)

Priority Areas

• Entertainment and welfare for mentally or physically disabled veterans
• Support for veterans in care homes
• Mental health support for veterans and families
• Educational opportunities for injured veterans
• Family support programmes
• Activities promoting wellbeing and social engagement

Currently Supported Veterans' Homes

The Association supports 18 veterans' homes and organisations including:

• Blind Veterans UK (Brighton, Llandudno, Sheffield)
• Combat Stress (Leatherhead)
• Royal Star & Garter (Surbiton)
• Care Ashore (Alfold)
• Royal Alfred Seafarers' Society (Banstead)
• Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (Worthing)
• Sussexdown (Storrington)
• Care for Veterans
• St. David's Home
• Haig Housing (Morden)

What They Don't Fund

• No explicit exclusion criteria published
• Help for direct services is restricted to South East of England and Home Counties (though grants to organisations extend UK-wide)
• Beneficiaries must be serving or former Armed Forces/Merchant Navy personnel or their carers/families

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (7)

| Name | Role | Appointed |

|------|------|-----------|

| Shaun Pascoe | Chair | 28 November 2024 |

| Michael Harris | Trustee | 12 April 2025 |

| Stephen Richards | Trustee | 12 April 2025 |

| Barbara Bruce | Trustee | 12 April 2025 |

| Stephen Justin Boynton | Trustee | 11 March 2016 |

| Nicolas Karonias | Trustee | 11 March 2016 |

| Byron Michael Turner | Trustee | 11 June 2015 |

Key Contact: Alan Lenton (referenced as charity contact person)

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The charity operates primarily through:

1. Direct relationships with veterans' care homes and organisations
2. Trustee discretion for grant decisions
3. Established partnerships with veteran charities

To enquire about support or partnership:

• Email: info@lestweforgetassociation.org.uk
• Phone: 07735532006 or 01372 729530

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the organisations they currently support, the Lest We Forget Association appears to identify beneficiaries through:

• Existing relationships with veterans' care homes in South East England
• Sector connections with established veteran charities
• Support from organisations whose work aligns with their mission of veteran welfare

The charity's support for organisations like PTSD Resolution, Reading Force, and Turn to Starboard suggests they are receptive to supporting charities addressing:

• Mental health and wellbeing
• Family support
• Rehabilitation and transition to civilian life

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented. Contact the charity directly for information on grant cycles and decision processes.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on organisations they have funded, successful applicants typically:

• Directly support serving or former Armed Forces and Merchant Navy personnel
• Provide programmes addressing mental health, wellbeing, or family support
• Work with disabled veterans or those in care settings
• Align with the Association's 100-year mission of “honouring and supporting” those who have served
• Can demonstrate direct impact on veteran welfare

The charity's own stated mission focuses on two objectives:

1. Providing entertainment and assisting with welfare of mentally or physically disabled personnel who have served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy, and their essential carers
2. Encouraging voluntary help and assistance from the public in local areas

Grant partnerships suggest they value:

• Organisations relieving pressure of fundraising to deliver services
• Programmes aimed at veterans who might be unemployed, homeless, or suffering health problems
• Evidence-based interventions (e.g., PTSD Resolution's therapeutic services)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - contact directly via email or phone to discuss potential partnerships
• Strong focus on disabled veterans - particularly those in care settings in South East England for direct services
• Lean operating model - the charity values efficiency with no paid staff, so funded organisations should demonstrate good use of resources
• Long-established relationships - they have supported the same veterans' homes and charities over many years
• Dual funding model - provides both direct services (entertainment/outings) and grants to other veteran charities
• Educational funding - has established scholarships at the Open University for disabled veterans
• Geographic considerations - direct services focus on South East England, but grants to organisations extend across England and Scotland

References

• Charity Commission Register - Lest We Forget Association
• Lest We Forget Association Official Website
• Lest We Forget Association Origins
• Seafarer Support - Lest We Forget Association
• Open University Disabled Veterans' Scholarships Fund
• Reading Force Supporters
• PTSD Resolution Partners
• River Thames Boat Project - Lest We Forget Client Story
• Reach Volunteering - Lest We Forget Association

Accessed: December 2024