Veteran support charity Hull 4 Heroes helped send a number of its members to London by train for a very special garden party at Buckingham Palace.
The Hull-based charity partnered with local rail operator Hull Trains to secure free travel for the veterans on the East Coast Main Line, enabling them to journey in style to the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The garden party was being hosted yesterday (Friday, May 17) by the Not Forgotten Charity.
Helen Skinner, of Hull 4 Heroes, said: “Our veterans and their guests were so excited to be invited to a special garden party hosted at Buckingham Palace. They’ve been talking about it for weeks and we were delighted to support them during the day.
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“A special thanks to our good friends and partners at Hull Trains for facilitating our group travel for the day. As a charity money is precious, so this gesture makes a huge difference and enabled all 22 veterans to get to London in style to thoroughly enjoy their day at the Palace.”
Lou Mendham, service delivery director at Hull Trains, said: “Local communities are at the heart of what we do at Hull Trains. Therefore, we were delighted to support this unique opportunity for such a special occasion to attend this amazing event at Buckingham Palace.
“Hull 4 Heroes is an incredible organisation doing wonderful things for people who’ve made a real difference to our country. We’re delighted to play a small role in ensuring they could get to where they needed to be in comfort and with ease. We hope they had a great day.”
Hull 4 Heroes, founded by former serviceman Paul Matson, helps veterans transition smoothly to civilian life, offering housing, education, and job support to prevent homelessness and honour their service to the country. The change in lifestyle is often difficult for many and the charity is a vital mechanism in ensuring that transition is as smooth as it can possibly be.
CEO Paul’s own journey from British military to civilian life was not without its challenges. He faced his own struggles but, inspired by his experiences working on the DIY SOS Veterans Street project in Manchester, and witnessing the challenges veterans face, Paul was driven to make a difference by setting up Hull 4 Heroes.
Today, Hull 4 Heroes’ reach extends across Hull, the East Riding and North Lincolnshire. For more information and to support the charity, visit hull4heroes.org.uk