HighGround presents Trustees' Vision at Tower of London
On Wednesday 25th October, by permission of Major General J Swift OBE Colonel of the Regiment, HighGround held a reception at the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum - in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers HQ within HM Tower of London - to introduce the Chairman’s new Vision for the charity and welcome its incoming CEO Jamie Crisp, generously supported by British Forces Resettlement Services.
Above:
Brig (Retd) Simon Caraffi MBE JP, Board of Trustees Chairman, HighGround, presented the charity's vision for the future to distinguished guest gathered at its reception held at the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers HQ in the Tower of London last week.
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Guests at the reception included HighGround's current funders ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Greenwich Hospital and RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. The Surgeon General and Commanding Officer Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre were both represented as well as private donors and corporate guests and Gavin Lane, CLA Vice President and Dr Charles Trotman - who was responsible for the CLA being the first rural business to sign the Armed Forces Covenant - also attended.
HighGround were delighted to welcome Penny Mordaunt MP, Alex Payne CEO Landex representing land-based education, Sir Nick Pope Chairman of Cobseo, Colonel Jane Davis, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Brigadier (r’td) Didi Wheeler CEO of the Farmers Club and representatives from the City Livery Companies including the Drapers, Blacksmiths, Farmers and Gunsmiths.
The Rt Hon Johnny Mercer Minister for Veterans Affairs sent HighGround a video message of support which was played at the start of HighGround's new film made by Thread Studios, which shared the Trustees’ Vision for HighGround’s second decade.
Jamie Crisp said: “It was a huge privilege as the incoming CEO to be part of HighGround’s reception at the Tower of London last night.
The level of support and exposure received as HighGround transitions into the next five years with its vision and strategy was clearly evident.”
He also thanked Lord Benyon who sadly was called away last minute due to parliamentary commitments.
Penny Mordaunt’s attendance and Johnny Mercer's opening video message of support, also showcased the level of support and commitment HighGround continues to attract.
Jamie said: “HighGround’s continued dedication to support service leavers and veterans into valuable land-based roles is what attracted me to the charity. That support to the rural economy is paramount and the charity will expand its delivery model going forwards.
"Added to this is its flagship Horticultural Therapy delivery at DMRC Stanford Hall in the rehabilitation of serving personnel ensures HighGround's unique profile.”
He continued by saying that with this comes the increased level of fundraising needed to ensure the charity delivers on its mission and vision which makes the drive to engage wider land-based stakeholders and businesses even more important in the years to come.
Col Jane Davis OBE QVRM TD DL Craft Warden, The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths said: "The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths supports the Rural Weeks both financially from our charity but also with working Blacksmiths who attend with mobile forges to allow attendees to actually ‘bash metal’ and achieve something to take away.
HighGround is a registered charity started in 2013 by Anna Baker Cresswell to help service leavers, veterans and reservists create their Life Beyond the Military – Outdoors. The charity is unique in that it supports both veterans and those still serving, as well as those who are not sure of what jobs are in the rural space and those with physical or psychological issues.
