Jim Duffy from the Army Benevolent Fund tells us about the remarkable work they do

Our 2024 campaign aims to raise more funds than ever by providing four sizes of our soldiers to businesses and individuals who wish to honour our fallen heroes with a tribute statue. For those wishing to order free Steel Soldiers for Remembrance Day events, orders can be placed here with a cut-off date of Monday 4th November. In exchange, all we’re asking for are donations to the ABF via our Just Giving page.

Here, Jim Duffy from the ABF tells us about the remarkable work they do with the donations they receive.

“The support from ACS has enabled us to help people from 3 months old to 104 years old”

As the national charity for the Army, our work is centred around helping soldiers and their families and we couldn’t do that without the generous donations we receive which do so much to help Soldiers, Veterans and their Families when in need – people who’ve given everything to serve their country.

Since our formation in 1944 our promise and purpose has remained unchanged: to ensure every soldier, past, present and future can avoid hardship and live with independence and dignity.

Our relationship with ACS began quite organically through – would you believe, the Leeds Rhinos! Tim Hymas CB OBE Chief Executive – a retired Army General and I were doing a presentation there, and the directors of ACS were there as official sponsors of the Rhino’s. I think they were struck by the work we do and immediately found a way to get on board and provide a way to help raise money for us. That was several years ago, and they’ve continued their commitment to us ever since.

Helping our Soldiers, Veterans and their Families

Thanks to such support, last year we helped an estimated 75,000 people in 51 countries around the world. Our 11 regional offices help to provide £60,000 per week in grants to individuals who need our help – and our teams are orchestrating this seven days a week. We also work with many other charities – 74 to date with 12% of our grants helping to fund their projects. This ensures that the people who need our help are getting it through various inroads. It’s important to us that we nourish these links which help to connect all of us who are passionate about this work.

Quite simply, our mission is to serve soldiers, veterans and their immediate families, ensuring they avoid hardship and enjoy independence with dignity. The support from donations provided by companies such as ACS has enabled us to help people from 3 months old to 104 years old. That’s remarkable and I’m incredibly proud of these statistics.

A personal mission 

It’s why I’m still here after being drawn in as an Engagement Officer many years ago. I spent 22 years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers before leaving in 2007 to work in a homeless unit, helping ex-service people get back on their feet and move on with their lives post service. It was a natural progression to then work for the ABF and I’ve been here ever since making sure that the people who need our help receive it.

ACS’s support to us is immeasurable. They have taken on all the marketing and logistics via DX Group’s distribution to get these wonderful statues to people – we are literally the grateful recipients of the funds they raise. This immersive approach means our resources are fully utilised doing what we do best – helping our soldiers, veterans and their families. ACS sorts out everything from making the soldiers to organising distribution and we’re incredibly grateful for that. I believe this is the second year that they’ve worked with DX Group who very kindly deliver the Steel Soldiers across the country.

So far, ACS has raised over £5,000 for our charity. This goes directly to supporting the six pillars which anchor our approach. Supporting army families, mental wellbeing, training and education, independent living, housing, and caring for the elderly.

I’d urge anyone reading this to visit our website and see more of what we do as the Army’s National Charity. We’re always fundraising. Last year we spent £9M delivering our support. We’re completely reliant on donations and are incredibly grateful for the support ACS continues to provide. Together we’re making a real difference in real people’s lives, and you can help too.

Visit the ACS Steel Soldier page here to donate and order your soldier.