Research shows one MILLION fewer people supporting military charities
The study comes as Falmouth prepares to celebrate Armed Forces Day
One million fewer people are donating to military charities compared to five years ago according to new research.
The survey data, carried out by YouGov on behalf of Help for Heroes, showed a 1.1 million drop in people donating to military charities within the last half decade.
Research found the drastic fall in support for military as Falmouth prepares to host and celebrate Armed Forces Day today (Saturday 24 June).
The charity’s Chief Executive, James Needham, said: "Demand for our services is growing, yet the donations we rely on to provide life-changing support to veterans and their family members are falling.
"It is a worrying trend"
"The daily struggles of our Armed Forces community are no less challenging, nor have they gone away – they have just stopped making the headlines.
"On average, four people are medically discharged from military service every day, and we know that is when their toughest battle can begin.
"This Armed Forces Day we celebrate the men and women who have served our country, past and present, but also remember that there are many veterans out there who still need our support and will do so long into the future."
In 2017, an estimated 3.2 million Britons donated to such causes. That figure fell to 2.1 million in 2022, according to the data.
The decline in support has been described as “a worrying trend” by Help for Heroes, which has seen its own income fall by 56 per cent since British forces ended combat operations in Afghanistan.
Help for Heroes has launched a campaign known as the “Veterans War” - highlighting the ongoing struggles some veterans and their family members face long after conflicts have ended.
Martin Wright, 54, from Devon, was a Commando who served in the First Gulf War. He carried out dozens of daring parachute jumps, was trained in jungle warfare, and learned to survive in Arctic conditions.
In 1998 Martin was discharged from the Army because of severe damage to his back. He was later diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and struggled to adapt to civilian life.
Last year he reached out to Help for Heroes and started attending its sporting and social activities. He now exercises regularly and meets up with other veterans.
“Going on a Help for Heroes sporting weekend changed my life,” Martin said.
“Leaving the Army hurt me physically and mentally. I couldn’t survive, I was in my own little bubble for years.
“That weekend took me out my comfort zone. It helped me accept being disabled. I took part in activities that I hadn't realised I was capable of. Meeting other veterans was amazing. I made so many friends. We keep in touch and encourage and support one another.
“I’m happy and I’m smiling again, and that’s because of that one weekend and the lasting impact it had.
“I now take part in other activities with the Charity. They arrange so many things. They take away the fears and the negativity of not getting on with life. They've made it possible, even with my MS and bad back, to do all these activities and be supported.
“With my disability, it can feel like I’m stuck in a world of my own. But Help for Heroes lets me break free. I’m not alone now. I've got all these new friends.”
Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 28,500 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.
The Charity supports veterans from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked alongside our Armed Forces.