The hard work and achievements of the armed forces community were celebrated at the 12th annual Soldiering On Awards.
Fourteen winners were announced at the ceremony in London, which was the biggest in the 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.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer MP joined Ministry of Defence leaders at the event, which was hosted by journalist and television presenter Lucrezia Millarini and former Army Reservist and plane crash survivor Jamie Hull.
Johnny Mercer said: “Congratulations to all the recipients of the Soldiering On Awards. The recipients of these awards highlight the incredible values that our armed forces bring to civilian life. I’m delighted to have celebrated these fantastic successes in person with award-winners and nominees.”
Chief of Defence People, Lieutenant General James Swift OBE, said: “The armed forces are renowned for building people, teaching skills and providing opportunities. We hope these skills and attributes stand people in good stead for post-service life. The Soldiering On Awards help to lift the lid on those remarkable achievements and inspire so many.”
The evening featured musical performances from Chelsea Pensioner and Britain’s Got Talent Winner Colin Thackery, Soprano Christina Johnston, the Military Wives Choirs and the Corps of Drums of the Royal Logistic Corps.
The award winners were:
Healthcare & Rehabilitation Award: substance misuse service With You
Education, Training and Development Award: charity Building Heroes
Working Together Award: charity Sporting Force
Defence Inclusivity Award: Defence Breastfeeding Network founder Lance Corporal Natasha Day – see more on the DBN in A&Y’s winter edition out on 10 January
Inspiration Award: Army veteran, adventure racer and fund-raiser Gina Allsop
Family Values: Seren Killpartrick, who raised £100,000 for treatment for her dad Paul
Animal Partnership Award: charity Stable Lives
Sporting Excellence Award: endurance athlete and fund-raiser Sally Orange
Business of the Year – Start Up Award: Craig Smith of NDA Homes
Business of the Year – Scale Up Award: Lee Harris-Hamer of White Horse Cleaning Company
Business of the Year – Community Impact Award: Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company
Lifetime Achievement Award: Sip Powers, who has supported wounded, injured and sick personnel alongside a 34-year Army career
Special Recognition Awards: Dr Alison Baverstock, the founder of charity Reading Force and Lt Col Gilly Moncur, leader of the Army Cadet Force Step Change Diversity and Inclusion project.
Main photo: Dr Alison Baverstock (pictured right) with her Reading Force colleague Hattie Gordon.