Team Forces, the UK-based defence sector organisation that delivers social impact across the UK armed forces community, is celebrating a major milestone achievement, having raised over £12 million in sponsorship and donations during the last 12 years. At the same time as announcing this milestone, Team Forces has renamed the charitable element of their organisation from the ‘Team Army Sports Foundation’ to the ‘Team Forces Foundation’. This transition better aligns all aspects of the organisations brand with their now more diverse operating model.
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Left to right: Major General Lamont Kirkland CBE, Captain Preet Chandi MBE, and Hari Budha Magar (Picture source: Team Force)
Team Forces raises funds from sponsorship and donations made by defence sector companies in order to deliver social impact across the armed forces community through the power of sport, challenge and adventure. These activities are critical to the morale, motivation, health and well-being of the UK's armed forces and provide a rewarding, transformative experience. Improving health, well-being and recovery by promoting excellence, equality and inclusion is embedded in the Team Forces ethos. Team Forces is endorsed by the UK MoD and delivered by Team Forces Funding Ltd in collaboration with the Team Forces Foundation.
Some recent examples of Team Forces supported activities include Captain Preet Chandi MBE, known as ‘Polar Preet’, who broke two Guinness World Records in Jan 2023 including the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey by anyone in history. As well, on 19 May 2023, 43-year-old British Army Gurkha veteran Hari Budha Magar stood victorious atop the world’s tallest mountain as the first ever double above-the-knee amputee to scale Everest. In addition to these larger headline expeditions, Team Forces allocates funds to over 80 different sporting activities annually that would otherwise receive limited funding. Team Forces support enables wide participation across the armed forces community, benefitting an estimated 15,000 serving members, veterans, cadets and families.
Over the last 12 years, the Team Forces Foundation (previously ‘The Team Army Sports Foundation’) has been proudly delivering social value to UK armed forces. Originally set up to fund Army sport, its reach has increased considerably over the years and now encompasses all three services and military-related social impact programmes, as well as funding challenging and adventurous activities. The revised brand structure reflects that evolution.
Major General Lamont Kirkland CBE, CEO at Team Forces said: “My small team works exceptionally hard to source funds for our charity from our defence industry clients so having raised over £12 million is a hugely significant achievement for all of us here at Team Forces. We now have a considerable portfolio of defence suppliers all benefitting from the social value that Team Forces delivers that in return, enables members of the armed forces community to participate in funded sporting, challenge and adventure activities. Well done to my team and thank you to our clients who have placed their trust in us, to date”. He added: “at the same time, we’ve completed our brand transition to align all aspects of our organisation to our ‘Team Forces’ brand identity. With our charitable arm under the new banner of the ‘Team Forces Foundation’ we will continue to grow whilst continuing to deliver best value to our clients and I look forward to our next major milestone being achieved”.
Defense News June 2023
