The signs team in RBLI’s social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, have made enough railway signs during the pandemic that when laid end-to-end they would reach the Normandy beaches in France.

The team, which is based on our charity’s Aylesford village, have produced more than 150,000 signs since last year – amounting to more than 240,000 metres, or 150 miles of signs.

The signs which in total weigh more than 300 tonnes, would stretch from the factory’s base, across the English Channel, reaching the Normandy beaches – the historic site of the D-Day landings which set up the Allies to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

But instead, the signs have in fact been transported all over the UK to be installed alongside railways tracks to help keep the country moving.

Veterans living in our emergency accommodation Mountbatten Pavilion have been supporting their fellow RBLI residents by helping to clear the gardens of the village’s care homes.

Mountbatten Pavilion provides support for some of the more vulnerable veterans living on the RBLI village. The accommodation, is often the first port of call for homeless veterans or those facing financial difficulties and challenges with drug or alcohol misuse.

These visits, which see us still follow strict hygiene and social distancing practices, are our opportunity to gain further support for our work. One such visit was Nigel Howell, chairman of award-winning residential property management company First Port, who came to see first-hand the work we have been doing to support those most in need.

Nigel, who is a Founding Patron of RBLI’s Tommy Club, said: “It was fantastic to see the invaluable support that RBLI offers to our veterans. I met with some incredible people who lived, worked and received support from the RBLI village. They have big plans for the future as they look to grow so they can support even more veterans.

“All of our support, be it donations or purchasing products from their online store will help them in helping more veterans than ever before.”

RBLI’s two social enterprises based in Kent and Scotland met in the Midlands last weekend to showcase their wide range of products at BBC Gardener’s World Live.

Birmingham’s NEC welcomed Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company and Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company as factory representatives showed off their Tommy garden range, which is available via our online shop, to members of the public.

The team showcased a wide range products – all made by veterans – including benches, planters and hedgehog houses, as well as garden Tommy products which are crafted by the team at Scotland’s Bravest.