• Home
• Who We Are
• Liberty Lodge
• Bookings - Liberty Lodge / Indulgence
• Make A Donation
• Garden of Remembrance
• News & Events
• Links
• Site Map

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 and their families, NoK of those killed in action and present day service personnel who are 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 thank the Falkland Island Government, people of the Falkland Islands, all major Service Charities, visiting Veterans and all supporters of the FVF since its conception.

This has allowed the charity to produce and maintain first class accommodation in the form of Liberty Lodge as a peaceful and tranquil place for Veterans and their families 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

We are delighted to announce that Simon Weston OBE is now Patron of the FVF and Tony Davies OBE has kindly agreed to become Chairman. We also welcome Karen Cole on board as our Operations Manager. Karen has worked behind the scenes since the charity’s conception but it is only now that her circumstances allow her to take up this position.

The FVF is delighted to have the support of Red Lion Foods who have generously donated this year’s running costs (2012) for Liberty Lodge. Click here for the Red Lion Foods website.

Concessionary Flights for 2012 only – read more.

30th Anniversary Veterans Reunion and Concert and Freedom of the Borough Parade with Memorial Service – to be held at Gosport on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May 2012.