We are delighted to be able to finally reveal the winners of the 2021 Soldiering On Awards! Over the last few months, votes have poured in across three public vote categories in their thousands, the judges have been busy at work making tough decisions too, and you have all been triumphantly recognising and celebrating the shortlist of finalists as each finalists’ story was shared.
Each Thursday in October, we announced this year’s thirteen winners at four special Virtual Winners’ Ceremonies on Zoom Webinar, and included some very special guest presenters to guide us through the celebrations.
The finalists’ achievements have been showcased across our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social channels, we’d love for you to engage with the posts and spread the word, and help celebrate with us!
2021 Winners
7th October
2021 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Family Values Award – sponsored by The Military Mutual
Give Us Time – a small Armed Forces charity that provides relief by sending military families on respite breaks to help restore the bonds that can prevent personal and family breakdowns. Click here to read more.
Forces in Mind Trust Working Together Award – sponsored by FiMT
Greater Manchester Police Armed Forces Lead – A team of 35 Armed Forces leads who are predominantly veterans themselves work across all districts of Greater Manchester to provide community support. Click here to read more.
Animal Partnership Award – sponsored by Pets at Home
Bella, the Bichon Frise rescue dog and British Army veteran Barry Coase – Beautiful Bella Bichon came into Barry’s life in 2015 at the age of 21 weeks, following a traumatic start in life. Filthy, fearful and feral, she crawled towards Barry and lay shaking. It was immediately obvious that there was something very special about this little dog. Click here to read more.
14th October –
2021 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Education, Training & Development Award
Making Generation R (Resilience) – a unique programme that improves confidence and independence for veterans, and provides transferable skills that broaden their career horizons. Click here to read more.
Defence Inclusivity Award
Emma Norton –founder of the Centre for Military Justice (CMJ), providing legal services to current and former members of the Armed Forces, plsu bereaved families, who have suffered violence, harassment or abuse. Click here to read more.
Sporting Excellence Award
Josh Boggi – a triple amputee, Josh completed the Race Across America in a record time, has won several medals at the Invictus Games and is a qualified PADI rescue diver as well as coaching his son’s football team. Click here to read more.
Patron’s Special Recognition Award
Defence Hindu Network – addressing the needs of Hindus in Defence, as well as within the wider community, it influences the way in which the Army engages with BAME communities. Click here to read more.
21st October –
2021 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Business of the Year: Start Up
Sam Jeffs – Peregrine Logistics – a regional courier and Amazon delivery partner, the business expanded from ‘a man with a van’ to a firm of 50 drivers in just six months. Click here to read more.
Business of the Year: Scale Up
Richard Hamlyn Tucker MBE – AAA Caring Caretaker Ltd – providing specialised cleaning services and domestic support to universities, the NHS and the MoD, including infection controls that have supported combatting the spread of Covid-19. Click here to read more.
Business of the Year: Community Impact
Nigel Seaman – Combat2Coffee – training veterans suffering with mental health issues or leaving custodial sentences to work as barristas, then helping them to find employment in the growing coffee shop sector. Click here to read more.
28th October –
Inspiration Award
Stephen Vause – described as “one of UK’s most seriously injured veterans,” Stephen requires 24-hour care but continues to push himself physically; he recently completed a 60-mile virtual London-Brighton cycle ride on a specially adapted static bike, raising over £4,500 for Help for Heroes and appearing on TV as an inspiration to others. Click here to read more.
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Award
Edward Dean – Anxious Minds – an award-winning charity supporting thousands of veterans and families by improving mental health services in the North East, whilst providing volunteer placements for over 20 trainee counsellors. Click here to read more.
Lifetime Achievement Award
George Batts MBE, Leg d’honneur – George has dedicated his life to providing for the welfare of the Normandy veteran community, and was instrumental in the creation of the British Normandy Memorial – an achievement borne of his determined campaigning, fundraising and unwavering commitment. Click here to read more.
