As we jump into the start of April, we want to thank all of the inspirational fundraisers for The Great Tommy Sleep Out for their efforts in what they have achieved so far. As of 1st April, the fundraising total reached a staggering £324,147.56 for our homeless veterans in need of housing and support!

This month, we look back on the Falklands War, 40 years ago, with a number of campaigns to provide ongoing support to those still effected. We also announce the winner of our first ever charity raffle which closed on 31st March.

Commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War with our entire Falklands 40 range now available from the RBLI shop. All of our products have been made by veterans, fulfilled by veterans, or both. With a number of products available including flags, lapel pins, tankards, stickers and more. All of the proceeds from our Falklands 40th anniversary range go towards RBLI projects to support veterans and their families.

Margaret from Ashford was announced as the winner of our first ever charity raffle on Friday, with her winning ticket number 229682902! Congratulations Margaret, we hope you enjoy your brand new MINI!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to our fantastic supporters who purchased a ticket in aid of our veterans in need, as well as our wonderful partners who made all this possible; BMW Arden, Lambeth Palace, Leyton Orient, First Port Care Homes, Shepherd Neame, our Tommy Club Founding Patrons and RBLI Trustee, Steven Kingsman, for donating the fantastic prize.

The Great Chairman Tommy Sleep Out, hosted by RBLI Chairman, Steve Rowbotham, saw a team of our fantastic partners and leaders in their industry sleep out under the stars to fundraise for the thousands of veterans living on the streets across the UK. The team built their own shelters for the night using nothing but their sleeping bags, cardboard and tarpaulin, and were joined by a number of veterans who felt comfortable enough to share their stories.

Our wonderful partners at Centor, Panattoni UK, WW Martin Ltd, Leyton Orient Football Club and Amey really went the extra mile to raise as much awareness as they could to support our great cause, and we are truly grateful.

Having received the UK’s 1829th Points of Light award along with a personal letter from UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, UK Managing Director of RBLI Social Enterprises, Michelle Ferguson, was invited to a reception at No 10 Downing Street to celebrate Scotland.

Michelle represented one of our social enterprise factories, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, and was proud to present the Prime Minister with a Queen’s Green Canopy plaque made and fulfilled by our veterans. Boris Johnson recently posted a video of his own tree planting on his social media channels this week to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 year service to our country.

RBLI’s Social Enterprise factory, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, is proud to have been working with Plymouth City Council to create their new “Welcome to Plymouth” gateway sign.

BBMC is the UK’s leading social enterprise providing employment to military veterans, as well as to those with disabilities, and is a national market leader in the production of road and rail signs. The factory also manufacture and fulfil RBLI shop products including our iconic Tommy collection and more recently, the Platinum Jubilee and Falklands 40 range.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support for RBLI.