British Armed Forces veterans who have suffered injury or illness will receive help in their transition from ‘Frontline to Fairway’ courtesy of a Veterans’ Foundation grant.
The £10,000 award will fund the costs of five highly experienced Professional Golf Association (PGA) coaches who will help to set veterans on the path to meaningful employment opportunities in the golf industry.
Delivered throughout the UK, On Course Foundation’s residential courses use golf as a vehicle for recovery from service-related mental or physical ailments and the PGA coaches are central to the charity’s aims.
“The PGA coaches are vital to our on-going work and have delivered tuition to hundreds of veterans with various injuries and illnesses,” explained Will Barker, Head of Fundraising at On Course Foundation.
“Their particular coaching styles and personalities make our vulnerable beneficiaries comfortable and relaxed when attending an event, regardless of their level of golfing ability.”
“We are so grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation and players of the Veterans’ Lottery for their on-going support to On Course Foundation.”
On Course Foundation’s mission is not only to teach veterans how to play the great game, but it also aims to build confidence and self-belief in its members through golf skills and employment events.
This grant from the Veterans’ Foundation, one of the UK’s fastest-growing military charities, was certainly well-received, allowing the charity to help more of our Armed Forces personnel than ever.
“As a sport, golf offers a unique platform where players of all skills and backgrounds can compete healthily, improving not only their physical strength, but mental strength as well,” said Will.
“This support is integral to the ongoing delivery of our programme of confidence building events - helping our beneficiaries to re-integrate back into society.”
“Thank you again to the Veterans’ Foundation and all those who donated to play the Veterans’ Lottery.”
Simon Auckland, one beneficiary of On Course Foundation’s great work, explained why they are so important to so many men and women who have served, especially those with mental trauma.
"Golf is my happy safe place and I take so much from OCF events – little bits of coaching to improve my golf but more importantly camaraderie, friendship and banter.”
“I’m able to get out in the fresh air with like-minded people, not having to think about my demons,” added Simon.
“It’s saved my life, gave me purpose back and showed me that I can do something despite my disability."
This grant is one of 50 awarded by the Veterans’ Foundation in the last round of grants, totalling a huge £1.1 million – the first time the Foundation have given a seven-figure sum in a quarter.
It means that the Veterans’ Foundation have now given over £9.1 million in grants to more than 290 UK-based military charities since inception in 2016.
All of the grants are made possible by generous donors and the players of the Veterans’ Lottery, who not only support our veterans in need, but also are in with a chance to win £35,000 every month.
To play the Veterans’ Lottery and contribute to helping many other brilliant causes just like this, click here.
To find out more about On Course Foundation and their amazing work, please visit https://www.oncoursefoundation.com.
