BBS support RBLI's Race to Victory event

We are honoured to be refurbishing the RBLI Gavin Astor House Care Home within the Royal British Legion VIllage in Aylesford, Maidstone. In addition to our ongoing construction works there, we are proud to actively support this fantastic charity with their fundraising events.

Their latest was Tommy's Race to Victory, where teams undertook a grueling 868 mile journey across the UK.

Although not taking part, BBS did not hesitate to support Steve Sherry, Chief Executive, RBLI and today our director, Geoff Slee, received this lovely thank you letter from Steve in return for our ongoing support...

Dear Geoff

Thank you and all at BBS so much for your generous donation in support of Team Tommy, Royal British Legion Industries and our veterans, over this VE Day and the Race to Victory challenge. Last year, all celebrations for VE Day were scrapped and the public was left with no way to recognise the iconic 75th anniversary of victory in Europe. So understandably we could not let another year pass by without commemorating and showing our gratitude to the WWII generation.

Together, Team Tommy completed an 868 mile journey and returned home to a triumphant welcome here on the RBLI Village in Aylesford, Kent this past Saturday, VE DAY. We started Tommy’s Race to Victory at our award winning social enterprise, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, in Erskine and travelled the length of the country to Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, in Kent whilst meeting some truly inspirational WW2 veterans along the way. It was an incredible journey, often battling difficult conditions, that was only achievable because of the support and kindness of the public and organisations like yourselves. Your gift will make a real difference.

On route, the team stopped at cities and key military locations, presenting specially-made VE Day Tommy figures, made by injured veterans working in RBLI’s factories, to notable members of the local military communities. Together we have raised over £22,000 during our time on the road and received incredible public support along the way, meeting WW2 veterans, Cadets, community supporters, our fantastic corporate partners and event sponsors. The ice bucket challenge was most welcome for our aching limbs! The funds raised will go directly to supporting veterans through RBLI’s wide range of welfare, accommodation and employment support services.

Of course we have our month long virtual challenge in celebration on VE Day ‘Tommy’s Race to Victory’ currently running for any and all members of the public to join on Facebook. We have over 1500 fundraisers doing this so far. It really does show how much the British public wants to commemorate and celebrate the generation that won our freedom.  Do please share the links and if you fell motivated do take part.  https://rbli.co.uk/rbli-events/tommys-race-to-victory/

Most of all I wanted to thank you for making a donation to RBLI and inspiring me to cover this amazing distance.  Your gift is greatly appreciated – thank you.

Best wishes

Steve Sherry CMG OBE

Chief Executive, RBLI

Royal British Legion Industries, Hall Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7NL