ABF South West

ABF South West The official page for Army Benevolent Fund - South West, For Soldiers For Life

This is the official page of the South West Region of ABF The Soldiers' Charity, covering Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and the Channel Islands.

Prove your codebreaking skills and join one of the UK's most innovative events. Operation Bletchley: London Missions sta...
01/06/2026

Prove your codebreaking skills and join one of the UK's most innovative events. Operation Bletchley: London Missions starts in just 1 month!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to cover the distance, test your skills and deliver the final message before time runs out.

Sign up now: https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/operation-bletchley

On Wednesday 27th May, in challenging conditions, former Tiverton cadets from A Sqn, Devon Army Cadet Force, successfull...
31/05/2026

On Wednesday 27th May, in challenging conditions, former Tiverton cadets from A Sqn, Devon Army Cadet Force, successfully completed the 50kg Pole Run, delivering a remarkable performance and demonstrating outstanding determination throughout.

The team raised an impressive £669 through the 8km Pole Run, a tremendous achievement by all the former Tiverton cadets who took part.
Added to the funds raised during the 8km run at the end of April, the total amount donated to the Army Benevolent Fund now stands at £1,269.
Sincere thanks go to everyone who contributed and helped make this fantastic result possible.

Over the past 13 years, Mark Sanders BEM has had the privilege of leading, running alongside and climbing with an exceptional group of young people, all while supporting charitable causes through a wide range of demanding challenges.

Time and again, they have shown an unwavering willingness to rise to every challenge, from a 2.5km indoor climbing wall ascent and a walk from Tiverton to Exmoor and back, to a 10km run carrying a 50kg pole and even survival-based endurance events.

Reflecting on the experience, Mark said he could not be prouder of every one of them for making it such an unforgettable journey.

⏱️The Yomp countdown begins… just one week to go! 🥾This time next Saturday, our participants will be setting off on an e...
30/05/2026

⏱️The Yomp countdown begins… just one week to go! 🥾

This time next Saturday, our participants will be setting off on an epic 54-mile adventure through the Scottish wilderness, aiming to complete the course in 24 hours.

Expect laughs, highs and lows, sore muscles, delicious meals, and most importantly, an unforgettable finish.

Are YOU ready to ?

While the Bulford team attended the Royal Bath & West Show, the Exeter team and the Regional Director visited RMB Chiven...
29/05/2026

While the Bulford team attended the Royal Bath & West Show, the Exeter team and the Regional Director visited RMB Chivenor for Families Day at the kind invitation of Cpl Christopher Sarson and L/Cpl Thomas Hayward of V Sqn, Commando Logistic Regiment.
The combined units based at RMB Chivenor (Navy, Royal Marines and Army) organised a wide range of activities, including bouncy castles, games, ice cream vans and stalls, and a fantastic display of Gurkha’ Khukuri dancing by members of V Sqn.

Families and children alike enjoyed a day filled with fun and laughter.

Thank you to RMB Chivenor for inviting the charity.

28/05/2026

When you get that annoying hacker email.....

Another fantastic Devon County Show has come to a close, and the South West regional team from Bulford and Exeter gave t...
27/05/2026

Another fantastic Devon County Show has come to a close, and the South West regional team from Bulford and Exeter gave their all across the three-day event.

With glorious sunshine throughout, the show enjoyed record attendance and a truly wonderful atmosphere.

We are especially grateful to the organisers of the Army Village and to the Army Units on site for the warm welcome and support they gave us throughout.

It was a real privilege to welcome HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, who spent a generous amount of time with us during her visit.

So, if you are attending the Royal Bath & West show or the Royal Cornwall show why not come down to the Army village and say hello!

Grateful thanks to Alan Quick, editor of the Crediton Courier for the images of HRH.

What a fantastic weekend at the Devon Truck Show, 23rd–24th May 2026!Despite the challenging heat, it was a brilliant ev...
27/05/2026

What a fantastic weekend at the Devon Truck Show, 23rd–24th May 2026!
Despite the challenging heat, it was a brilliant event full of air horns, great conversations, and plenty of banter with former and serving submariners, ex-soldiers, and members of the public.
A huge thank you to the organisers for enabling our Charity Ambassador George Pas attend as a representative of the Army Benevolent Fund while displaying Norma and Frank.

Thank you as well to everyone who stopped to chat, bought something from the stall, or donated to the collecting tubs — your support is hugely appreciated.

Special thanks go to Darren Squires, Paul Wyeth, and Carl Pas, who gave up their bank holiday weekend to move the vehicles, set up, and pack down.

26/05/2026

Team Tuesdays! We asked some of our SW Team what is their favourite ABF event? Have you got a favourite ABF event or is there an event you would like us to put on? Please comment below!

23/05/2026

It's nearly time for Operation Bletchley: London Mission!

From July 1st, embark on a thrilling adventure set in 1941 securing a new line of communication from Bletchley Park to The Cabinet War Rooms in London.

Sign up now: https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/operation-bletchley

Sergeant George Pas served as a Reservist with 6th Battalion The Rifles for over 14 years, completing multiple tours and...
22/05/2026

Sergeant George Pas served as a Reservist with 6th Battalion The Rifles for over 14 years, completing multiple tours and earning top commendations for his service.

But in 2011, just before George was due to start his third tour of Afghanistan as a newly promoted Platoon Sergeant, disaster struck. He was involved in a serious road traffic accident whilst travelling on his motorbike and sustained catastrophic injuries, including breaking his back in eight places. George was paralysed from the chest down and now relies on a wheelchair for mobility.

Yet despite the debilitating nature of his injuries and the effect they have had on George’s day-to-day life, his thirst for a challenge has never waned. Determined to still do as many outdoor activities as possible, in 2013, George approached the Army Benevolent Fund for help towards the costs of an all-terrain mobility aid.

George had already raised part of the £14,000 required towards the price of an Overlander through completing a number of challenges, including a sky dive and an abseil, before the Army Benevolent Fund, stepped in to make up the difference.

We are honoured to have George champion our cause and we are extremely grateful to him for his work as Charity Ambassador and fundraiser.

George will be collecting for the Army Benevolent Fund at Devon Truck Show Smeatharpe from 22nd-25th May. Why not go and say hello?

You can read more of George's story here: https://armybenevolentfund.org/stories/george-pas/

Address

Exeter

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ABF South West posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share