London, UK – April 26th, 2024 – The Celebrating Forces Families Awards, held on Friday, 26th April, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, recognised the incredible strength, dedication, and achievements of the UK’s Armed Forces families. This heart warming event, now in its third year and the only one of its kind within the Armed Forces Network, celebrates the invaluable support these families provide to serving members and the entire military community.The evening commenced with a moving performance by a combined choir featuring Britains' Got Talent Semi-Finalists Voices of Armed Forces Children Choir and the Military Wives Choirs, performing a brand-new song written specifically for the occasion. Actor and SSAFA Ambassador Antony Cotton MBE co-presented the awards alongside Forces News presenter Sian Grzeszczyk, and their heartfelt and empathetic delivery brought the inspiring stories of the finalists to life.
Katie Salari, Chief Executive Officer at Never Such Innocence, said, “'When the Voices of Armed Forces Children Choir were invited to sing this year, they were so excited! Inspired by the event and all of the nominees last year, they thought it would be fun to write a song specifically for the awards. They wanted to capture how exciting the event is and recognise the important work that people do to support forces families.
To quote the children's song, We are celebrating you and everything you’ve done. For the past year, you’ve shone brighter than the sun - each person nominated has done some extraordinary work, and the choir is very happy to salute them through the song they wrote.”
The evening attracted 673 attendees, demonstrating its widespread appeal. 240 people joined in person for the night, and it was thrilling to welcome an additional 433 people from around the world who joined through the livestream. “Great to see the awards growing with success year after year, celebrating the important achievement our armed forces families make to the wider community. Thank you.” Vice Admiral Phil Hally- Chief of Defence people.
The competition this year was fierce, with 33 exceptional finalists shortlisted from a large pool of nominees. Each finalist possessed an inspiring story of resilience, accomplishment, or community service, making them all truly deserving of recognition.
The ceremony culminated in the announcement of the winners, whose inspiring stories exemplify the strength of our Forces families. Among them were:
- Inspirational Family Member of the Year: Claire Lilly, whose powerful campaign—The Forcer Protocol—was inspired by her husband's tragic death. Now a nationwide strategy, the protocol ensures prompt location and support for vulnerable missing veterans, sparing countless families the anguish her family experienced. In Manchester alone, in just four months, 57 missing veterans have been located and referred.
- Young People’s Award: Jamie Small was nominated for his dedication to supporting others after the devastating loss of his father to suicide at the young age of eight. This courageous young man created a film with the Army, raised over £30,000 for charity, and bravely shared his personal journey to help others struggling with loss and suicidal thoughts. Following a tearful introduction from Antony Cotton, Jamie received a standing ovation from the crowd when receiving the award. This moving moment resonated with the audience, both in-person and online, solidifying the impact of the ceremony.
- Overcoming Adversity Award: Stephanie Quintrell, a determined rider who, despite facing a debilitating neurological condition necessitating the use of a wheelchair, refused to give up on her passion. Stephanie returned to horseback riding just 18 months after her illness and spearheaded the FWC Ride to Freedom expedition. Her story of resilience and determination inspired the nation, proving that with unwavering spirit, any obstacle can be overcome.
To discover all the remarkable winners and their stories, visit the Celebrating Forces Families website at https://www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence proudly supports this non-profit event. Any surplus funds raised will be distributed to family-oriented military charities representing all three branches of the Armed Forces. The Right Honourable Dr Andrew Murrison MP, Minister for Defence People and Families, said: “Life in the Armed Forces can be highly rewarding, but it can also make high demands of serving personnel, which can impact on family life, which is why recognition of the crucial support that service families play is so important in this equation.”
The Celebrating Forces Families Awards stand as a testament to the extraordinary contributions of military families. Their unwavering support, inspirational journeys, and unbelievable strength are a source of immense pride for the entire Armed Forces community.
To discover all the remarkable winners and their stories, visit the Celebrating Forces Families website at https://www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk/.
Sarah Walker, Chair of the CFF Awards, said, “The night was incredibly humbling. It was fantastic to meet our finalists and hear all about their inspiring achievements. Huge congratulations to this year's winners, and we thank you for all your contributions to the armed forces community.”
