Army Benevolent Fund

The Army Benevolent Fund was established in August 1944, as the Army’s national charity, to ensure those soldiers who had fought in World War Two received the support they needed and deserved.

The charity’s founding purpose remains unchanged 80 years later and will endure. It is to provide a lifetime of support to serving soldiers, former soldiers, and their immediate families (including the bereaved) when they are in need, such they are afforded the opportunity to avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity.

Last year saw us spending some £9.2million in benevolence, supporting over 80,000 members of the Army family in 52 countries around the world. Our youngest beneficiary was three years old; our oldest was 105. We genuinely are here for soldiers, for life.
 
Typically, around 10-20% of all charitable expenditure, in any given year, will be in support of the serving Army community. This includes £200,000 towards children’s activities provided by the Army Welfare Service for serving families.

We ensure a complete spectrum of support in the areas it is needed most: helping Army families; improving mental wellbeing; enabling independent living; caring for the elderly; training and education to increase employability; and ensuring the provision of suitable housing.

We award grants to individuals and families, and fund leading charities and organisations to ensure help is there when it is needed. Finally, and crucially, we act with speed. When we are alerted that a person or family is in need of help, we aim to make the relevant individual grant within 48 hours.

Thank you. Your legacy will help us keep our promise—to act with speed and agility to ensure the right help reaches the right people quickly and in the most appropriate way.