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Ms Allsop said: “The poems illustrate the journey taken by those who join the Armed Forces, showing a lighter side to our families’ lives and the trauma we sometimes face. Sally, who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for SSAFA, is an endurance athlete, physiotherapist and award-winning mental health campaigner. She has completed a marathon on every continent – each time dressed as a different piece of fruit! She is also a keen speaker and has supported SSAFA at several events at the regional and national level, from SSAFA meetings to the Remembrance Day Parade in London.
We are chuffed with what we have created so far and we are fortunate to have a number of organisations and businesses who have been there from the beginning and continue to support us each year moving forward. We have built a community around the events, so not only is there the awards evenings, but we include filming days, where the nominees get to tell their story, there are certificates for everyone nominated as everyone involved is a winner in our eyes and I know that is a well worn cliche, but it is true. We showcase them, we market them as winners, as far as their achievements go in the forces community, they are winners!” It was an honour to have been nominated and I hope it raises the profile of the work we do. It has been a great night and I’m glad some of my SSAFA friends have been here to enjoy it with me.It was also a great privilege to be amongst such amazing veterans and supporters of the Armed Forces community. I feel very proud, and very humble.” Gina Allsop tells ITV News Meridian's Charlotte Wilkins how poetry helped her through her own loss. This award honours a person who has overcome significant challenges, injury or disability, and whose ongoing or past outstanding achievements are an inspiration to others within the Armed Forces community. Gina won through a public vote. Her military service also put Gina in challenging and dangerous situations, including her time in East Timor, which she remembers:
The book contains poems from thirty poets who have all contributed to the book and have a military connection. ITV presenter, Lorraine Kelly, is one of the contributors, as well as radio presenter, Joe Carden.
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Sally’s award respects a person that has overcome challenges in pursuit of sporting excellence, demonstrating outstanding achievement in the field of sport and contributing to the endeavours and advancement of the Armed Forces Community. She also won through a public vote.
Then the next day my amazing brother died. I was completely consumed with that, nothing else mattered. Despite my spine, knee and ankle injuries, difficulty hearing and asthma linked to my time in the Forces, I still had my arms and legs intact, so I didn’t think I was eligible for help. A friend of mine got involved with the Invictus Games and told me about a Help for Heroes sports recovery programme, so I started to get involved with that. We want to Inspire our future service leavers that great things can happen. Its you who will act as role models and in some cases mentors, remember Positivity breeds Positivity. The SSAFA supported Ms Allsop after the accident and sourced funding to provide her with a new bike.
The Winners will be chosen by our Independent Judging Panel. The Judging panels names and profiles will be released over the coming weeks. I've never had anything from a charity. I normally raise money for charity. It's different, to be on the other side. Graham didn't make me feel like I was begging for it. It was like I deserved it which was touching. He was very personable and put me at ease. Getting in touch with SSAFA is the best thing that's happened to me this year. It was made easy to say no, and I think that was the first time I ever had said no to task or a mission that had been offered to me. Gina is a Veteran, adventure racer, volunteer with the Army Cadets, volunteer Marine Mammal Medic, and successful fundraiser. She is also the editor of a poetry book, Military Memories, which was inspired by her brother’s funeral. The book is an important way of raising funds for military charities, and as a conduit for mental wellbeing, both for those who wrote the poems and those who read them. She has raised thousands of pounds for charity and is an inspirational speaker at many SSAFA events.
Over 650 guests gathered at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on Thursday 27 October 2022, with 610 guests seated for dinner in addition to some amazing acts, Military hosts and the Soldiering On Awards team. The 12th annual ceremony was the biggest in the Soldiering On Awards’ history as finalists from the last two years, who had been restricted to virtual celebrations, were invited to join their 2022 counterparts to celebrate with representatives from all three services, military charities, and corporate supporters. Massive thanks to everyone who attended this year’s English Veterans Awards hosted by Polly James and held at the Village Hotel and Leisure Club Bristol on the 21st September. The Awards were sponsored by Company X Consulting Ltd and in Support of The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and The Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity! It was such a fantastic event with a great atmosphere in the room!Gina Allsop took home a Gold Award as Volunteer of the Year, Paul Jacobs GM took home a Silver Award as Inspiration of the Year, Mike Donne was awarded Silver for Volunteer of the Year, and Sally Orange MBE was awarded a Gold Award for Role Model of the Year and also Overall 2023 Veteran of the Year. Now I would say getting in touch with SSAFA is the best thing that's happened to me this year. I've never been given anything like that, ever, if I'm honest. It's something that happens to other people really." The Veterans Awards team is headed up by Welsh Guards veteran, Sean Molino, who also covers the Welsh and Scottish Veterans Awards respectively. It is safe to say, the Veterans Awards produced by Sean and his loyal team have a real community spirit around them and this is something Sean is keen to continue to instill.
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