Where your money goes
You may know the Operation Bletchley supports the Army Benevolent Fund, but what do we actually do?
The Army Benevolent Fund was established in August 1944, as the Army’s national charity, to ensure those soldiers who had fought in World War Two received the support they needed and deserved.
The charity’s founding purpose remains unchanged 80 years later and will endure. It is to provide a lifetime of support to serving soldiers, former soldiers, and their immediate families (including the bereaved) when they are in need, such they are afforded the opportunity to avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity.
Last year that saw us spending some £9m in benevolence, supporting over 75,000 members of the Army family in 51 countries around the world. Our youngest beneficiary was one day old; our oldest was 104 years old. We genuinely are here for soldiers, for life.
As grant-makers, we enable specialist charities and organisations to reach the right people with the right services often within 48 hours. Read more about the individuals we help here: https://armybenevolentfund.org/stories/
Your fundraising is changing the lives of our soldiers, veterans and their families and from everyone here a huge thank you for your support.
- £50 - could help cover travel costs so a veteran can attend a job interview.
- £75 - could go towards the cost of a temporary wheelchair ramp, allowing an injured soldier to enter and leave his home.
- £250 - could contribute towards the care home fees of a frail elderly veteran who requires continuous care.
- £1000 - could help pay for home adaptations so that a veteran’s young disabled child can live in a safe and accessible environment.
Mark's story
Mark dedicated 16 years of his life to serving in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, where he spent much of his career as a sniper with the elite Reconnaissance Platoon. His service took him to some of the world’s most volatile regions, including Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In 2010, while leading a routine patrol in Afghanistan, Mark was shot by a Taliban sniper. The bullet pierced his neck, leaving him instantly paralysed from the neck down. He was evacuated back to the UK, where the gravity of his injuries became heartbreakingly clear. Doctors warned he would likely never walk again.
But Mark refused to accept that fate.
With unwavering determination, he embarked on a gruelling journey of recovery at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court. Over two and a half years of relentless physiotherapy, Mark defied the odds—he learned to walk again.
Our charity has had the privilege of supporting Mark on several stages of his remarkable journey, especially as he reconnected with his passion for sports. That drive saw him earn a place on the GB Sprint Kayaking squad—a phenomenal achievement. But Mark didn’t stop there.
He walked from Carlisle to Blairgowrie. Then, in tribute to World War II heroes, he took on the 650-mile Market Garden walk. He completed the legendary Lands’ End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG) route. And during the COVID-19 lockdown, he even rowed the equivalent distance of the Atlantic—right in his back garden.
Mark’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, courage, and grit. He is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when the human spirit refuses to surrender.
A rewarding experience
AWe have some amazing fundraising incentives on offer - can you collect them all?
- Get your first donation on your page to get an Operation Bletchley: London pencil (this can be as little as £1!).
- Raise £25 to receive an additional 3 codes to crack!
- Raise £50 to earn an Operation Bletchley: London codebreaking puzzle book.
- Raise £100 to receive your Operation Bletchley: London Buff.
- Raise £150 to receive an Operation Bletchley: London t-shirt.
- Raise £250 for an Operation Bletchley: London fundraising pin badge.
The puzzle book will contain the first 9 codes of your mission. We’ll be sending these out in the last week of June, so make sure you have raised £50 on your fundraising page by then to ensure you receive it ready for the start of the mission on the 1st July. The final 10th code will be revealed once you’ve walked the full distance!
Medals and more...
Your official Operation Bletchley medal will be awarded if you receive 'Mission Accomplished' status. To do this you simply need to deliver your correct coded message on time, by midnight on 31 July.
Fundraising will remain open until the end of August. You will receive your medal in September.
Your fundraising results will be automatically included in our Fundraising Army promotions table, so you can compete with other supporters.
You’ll also be able to join the Operation Bletchley online community where you’ll find many like-minded people who will support and encourage you.
For more information or if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact Agent L on events@armybenevolentfund.org.
How far will you rise?
By signing up to Operation Bletchley you’ll be enlisted into our elite Army – The Army Benevolent Fund's Fundraising Army.
See the full list of promotions here.
Joining as a Private, your primary mission will be to raise vital funds to support our soldiers, veterans and their families. Do you have the drive to rise through the ranks whilst raising money to help those who fought and gave so much for us?
