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The Falklands Veterans Foundation (FVF) was the first UK based charity for Falklands Veterans and their immediate families and is committed to providing a network of support and direction for those in need.

The FVF works in partnership with all other Service Charities and organisations providing assistance for Falklands Veterans and their families.

The FVF is available to point you in the right direction whether it is financial or to assist with any difficulties you are encountering. Please contact us at: info@falklandsveterans.org.uk.

History of the Falklands Veterans Foundation

The concept of the FVF was initially thought of in June 2002 after the 20th Anniversary Union, which was held in Gosport. In the following months Simon Weston, Jim Davidson and Mike Osman were all approached with the idea of forming a charity and all agreed to become founding Trustees. The FVF became a Registered Charity in November 2002 (Registered Charity No: 1094950).

The FVF’s aim at that time was to raise funds to assist in the organisation of the 25th Anniversary events in 2007, but it became apparent that the MoD were taking the lead on these events.

The FVF needed to put its efforts into an alternative project and it became apparent that after previous pilgrimages, to the Falkland Islands, the returning Veterans found this to be very therapeutic, especially for those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was then that the idea of building a residence in the Falkland Islands, for returning Veterans to stay, was decided upon.

Liberty Lodge

Liberty Lodge is now firmly established in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, at a cost of £350,000. The accommodation is for Veterans of the Falklands War of 1982, their families and present day service personnel serving in the South Atlantic.

During ‘Falklands25’, the Commemoration Year, Derek ‘Smokey’ Cole (CEO, Falklands Veterans Foundation) got together with Tony Davies (Chairman, South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 (SAMA82) 2006–2010) to raise the remaining funds for the project when the awareness of the Falklands War was at its height.

The FVF would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Falkland Island Government, people of the Falkland Islands, all major Service Charities and all other supporters of the FVF who have attended various fundraising events in Hampshire, the home of the FVF, since its conception.

This has allowed the charity to produce first class accommodation in the form of Liberty Lodge as a peaceful and tranquil place for Veterans to return to after visiting the battlefields and significant locations, which are poignant to them.

For this facility to remain available for the foreseeable future, the FVF continue to actively raise funds for the running and maintenance costs. If you would like to support the FVF, please go to the ‘Make a Donation’ page. Alternatively, if you have any fundraising ideas please send us an email.

Click here to view more Liberty Lodge information and photographs.

Latest News

The Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 Marathon on 8 August 2010

Andrew Warren is taking on the Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 Marathon on 8 August 2010. It is an off road marathon with a nice scenic route through historic Wessex on quiet park roads, bridleways and paths.

Andrew chose the FVF as he says, "I am a bit of a War Memoir fan and was recently given Gordon Ramsay’s book ‘The Falklands Then and Now’. Needless to say the first hand accounts had an effect on me and I felt the need to try and raise some funds for a Falklands Charity".

If you would like to sponsor Andrew please contact us on info@falklandsveterans.org.uk.