Colleagues from across The FirstPort Group have been stepping out of their comfort zones this month to raise funds for vulnerable veterans across the UK as part of The Great Tommy Sleep Out – a nationwide fundraising campaign run by Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE).
From the historic setting of Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent to the open moorland of Dartmoor in the South West, colleagues swapped warm beds for sleeping bags and bare ground, raising vital funds to help veterans facing homelessness, unemployment and mental health challenges.
A night at Chatham Historic Dockyard
The FirstPort Group’s Kent-based property management team, joined by senior leaders, took on the challenge last week at Chatham Historic Dockyard – a maritime museum that was once a cornerstone of Britain’s naval and military history.
As a veteran himself, FirstPort Managing Director Martin King said the historic military setting made the experience even more meaningful:
“Sleeping out at Chatham Historic Dockyard, a place where so many military journeys began, is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by generations of service personnel. The Great Tommy Sleep Out highlights the challenges many veterans continue to face after their service ends. No veteran should ever be without a safe and secure place to stay, and we’re proud to be continuing this important work to support vulnerable veterans across the UK as a charity partner of RBVE’s Tommy Club.”
The team raised over £1,750 and these funds will help RBVE to provide safe accommodation, employment opportunities and specialist support for veterans trying to rebuild their lives after leaving the armed forces.
RBVE’s Assistant Director of Fundraising, Paula Ray, expressed her gratitude: “We’re hugely grateful to the FirstPort teams taking part in The Great Tommy Sleep Out.
“Their efforts make a real difference to the veterans we support, and we are thankful for their generosity. It is encouraging to see organisations like FirstPort standing alongside us to ensure no veteran is left behind.”
A spokesperson for the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said: “Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust was proud to support The Great Tommy Sleep Out, raising awareness of the challenges faced by veterans experiencing homelessness. It was inspiring to see such strong support for an important cause.”
Taking on the exposed conditions of Dartmoor
In the South West, another FirstPort team took on a different kind of challenge – an exposed sleep out on Dartmoor, a landscape known for its role in military training and its unforgiving weather.
Swapping home comforts for basic camping gear, the team faced strong winds and cold temperatures, raising over £850 for RBVE.
For Thomas, Property Manager for FirstPort South West, the experience was a chance to reflect:
“It wasn’t just a night out of our comfort zone, but a reminder of the importance of standing beside those who served for others. I’m proud we could play a small part in helping them get the support they deserve.”
As an ex-infantry soldier, Associate Director Chris shared a personal perspective:
“I have experienced the challenging conditions that Dartmoor has to offer. With the right equipment, we were able to fend off the worst of the weather. But this just isn’t possible for the many homeless veterans who, day in and day out, sleep without shelter and warmth. For our group, this was one night of discomfort. For many fellow veterans, this is their lived reality.”
Across the country, FirstPort colleagues continue to organise their own sleep outs in public spaces, local landmarks and their gardens – all united in a shared mission to ensure no veteran is left without a safe place to call home.
FirstPort is a charity partner of Tommy Club, a division of RBVE, supporting their mission to help society’s most vulnerable military veterans.
For more information about The Great Tommy Sleep Out, visit: www.rbli.co.uk/great-tommy-sleep-out/
