Club Doncaster Foundation named Charity of the Year at first ever Doncaster Armed Forces Community Awards

We are delighted to announce that we were named Charity of the Year at the first ever Doncaster Armed Forces Community Awards last week, for the work we do to support veterans and those who have served within the armed forces, through our Fit Forces project. 

Held at the 219 Scarborough Baracks and hosted by the Doncaster Armed Forces Covenant, the awards celebrated the incredible work the local community are doing to support Doncaster’s Armed Forces, both current services, veterans and military personnel, alongside individuals who go above and beyond to put Doncaster on the map as a leader in the UK for supporting the Armed Forces Community. 

Blue Thornhill and Baz Cooper, participants of the project, both received accolades for their commitments to the Armed Forces community.

Baz collected the Community Engagement Award, while Blue was named the winner of the Giving Back Award.

Both men have attended Fit Forces since the start of the project, with Blue involved in the creation alongside the Foundation. 

“It’s a fantastic project, something that brings joy to many of the lives of those who attend on a weekly basis,” Blue said.

“I’ve seen the project grow from just a small handful of people attending on the first few weeks, to an average of over 25 men and women now turning up regularly on a Saturday morning. 

“The sessions on a weekend are what I look forward to during the week and I can’t imagine my life without it now. 

“Being able to use my experiences to get more people involved is great, supporting our family and making a safe place for veterans and military personnel across Doncaster.”

The People Focused Group (PFG), who supports the Fit Forces project, were the chosen group for the Innovation Award.

Nick Gillott, Head of Community Programmes, who was in attendance with staff members and participants from the Fit Forces project, spoke of how proud he was about the award.

“This award is testament to the work we do as a Foundation and the services we provide on a weekly basis to support veterans and those who serve within the armed forces.

“We deliver this project, not for the recognition, but to help provide a safe space for personnel to come together, meet new and old friends, in a friendly and relaxed environment, discussing old times while also giving them the opportunity to exercise and socialise together. 

“It’s a lifeline for participants, sometimes these sessions are the only opportunity participants get to see other people.

“We’ve plenty of exciting plans in the pipeline and as the project continues to grow, we’re excited for the future and continuing to support those from the local community, giving back to those who fought for us.”

Fit Forces, first launched in June 2022 and continues to be a weekly session aimed at ex-military personnel. 

Sessions are held in Foundation Fitness from 9am till 11am every Saturday and give participants the chance to be with likeminded people with similar experiences to themselves.

The sessions aim to provide a safe space for them to feel at ease to access exercise and socialise with group members, taking part in circuits, quizzes, organised activities and NAAFI breaks.

Want more information on the Fit Forces project? E-mail fitrovers@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk to find out more. Alternatively, attend the sessions on a Saturday morning at Foundation Fitness, from 9am-11am.