Veterans’ Foundation Keeps the Wheels Turning 

The Veterans’ Foundation has pledged Worthing-based charity Care for Veterans a total of £25,000 (to be given over a two-year period) to support the organisation’s Physiotherapy costs.

Army veteran Liam Quinn with Lead Physiotherapist Belle 

Care for Veterans has offered long-term, respite, rehabilitative and palliative care services to disabled veterans and their families since 1919. Each year, with no government help available, the organisation must raise £1.5 million to continue the provision of these vital care services.  

The Veterans’ Foundation is one of the country’s leading military charities. It was set up in 2016 to raise funds to help charities provide vital support to our Armed Forces community. These include those serving, veterans and their families, with a range of needs including mental health, physical therapy and rehabilitation, homelessness, and education and training. Since 2016, the Foundation has raised more than £25 million and awarded 1,100 grants to more than 500 small– and medium-sized charities and charitable organisations that deliver life-changing projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The majority of residents at Care for Veterans are wheelchair users. Many have a strong determination to maintain or improve their strength and therefore their independence, where possible. One activity enabling this shared goal has been group cycling sessions, led by the physiotherapists – the costs of which are now supported by the Veterans’ Foundation. 

Lead Physiotherapist Belle shared, “All residents at Care for Veterans are welcome to attend a cycling session that runs every weekday. Across a month, we typically have almost 200 sessions taken up by residents using our wheelchair-adapted bikes and supervised by our rehabilitation assistant. These bikes allow for cycling of the arms or legs with the ability to adjust the resistance. This means the cycling experience is individualised to the veteran and targeted to help them achieve their goals.” 

When asked what a typical group session is like for the residents, Belle commented: “There is an atmosphere of friendly competition as veterans try to cycle the farthest in their 30-minute sessions. As well as helping our veterans keep fit and maintain strength, there is a social benefit and camaraderie between all who attend. During our sessions, you’ll usually hear a vast variety of music from all eras playing to motivate veterans as well as provide a sense of nostalgia. Our veterans look forward to the sessions and the chance to maintain and improve their fitness in a friendly and fun space.” 

Care for Veterans CEO Peter Inkpen stated, “We would like to express our sincere thanks to all those at the Veterans’ Foundation for choosing to support our charity. The impact that their generosity has had here in our home is enormous. They have helped our veterans to feel stronger – both physically and mentally”.  

Veterans’ Foundation, Grants Manager, Louise Buchanan, said: “We were delighted to be able to support this worthy cause, knowing that the funds go to help veterans with a variety of needs. Care For Veterans’ support makes a real difference to their beneficiaries’ lives.”