FEBRUARY 2016 T EN M LE TT SE RE Round Table have introduced an Armed Forces scheme whereby they can claim six months free membership upon joining the organisation and any interested men will be offered a free night out with their local club... Having Fun & Helping Communities A PATHFINDER 19 fter 10 years in the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer, Craig Smith thought Civvy Street would be easy. Living where you want, having what you want for breakfast, lunch and dinner (rather than the two option displayed by the chef) seemed like a breath of fresh air, as well as the ability to head home to your partner every night. something you enjoy. This year we took Santa to see a terminally ill child at his house with some gifts. When we knocked the door his face lit up! We spent the next 15 minutes chatting with him and Santa about football and his parents were in tears because they were so happy. A little time given to people made that little boy’s Christmas and that is what we all do it for”. It was a similar story for Wesley, 40, a chef in the Royal Logistics Corps for 20 years. After serving in Germany, Cyprus, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Northern The reality, however, was that Craig felt a void in his life. Ireland, Canada and Jamaica, a relocation to “You spend so much time working, eating and Nottingham to live with his partner found Wesley sleeping in very close proximity to your Navy mates that feeling isolated after finding it difficult to find new then become second family. Everyone around you has a friends living in the area. vital role to play. “During my resettlement phase of getting out of the “The forces also offer opportunities to do more than Army, I remember reading an article in a magazine your daily job. The Navy is very often first onsite about service leavers and Round Table. After to a disaster such as the volcano in Monserrat reading this positive experience, I decided or the troubles in Sierra Leone. When the to get in touch with the mighty Hucknall opportunity arose I would always volunteer Round Table Round Table and I haven’t looked back to go ashore to get local services (such as ended up being since.“Round Table ended up being the final power or water) operational again. You also got the opportunity to meet the locals the final piece piece of my life that I needed. The men and see what a huge impact you have by my are we of my life that I up in twice club a month just to like do me some and amazing meet just being there”. needed.” things as well as many charity projects that It was an introduction from a client to the world of Round Table that enabled Craig to fill I personally find very rewarding”. the gap in his life. After floods hit Yorkshire in January of this “At first, I just thought Round Table would be about year, members of Round Table from across the UK networking and expanding my business opportunities felt the need to lend a hand to those families affected, but after meeting the lads at the Solihull branch, I including Wez himself. Working with other members realised all the blokes had the same outlook as me and in the East Midlands area, they set about collecting worked together to get stuff done, very much like my cleaning items, loading them into vans and driving military friends. them to the places that needed them the most, “As well as having a great social life, we organise large “I was inspired by my time in the Army when I scale community events such as a fireworks night which sought to get involved with flood relief efforts in has a regular attendance of 14,000 people. A HM Forces Yorkshire. While I served, I helped during fire strikes background gives you the determination, drive and and the foot and mouth crisis so it was only natural ability to plan for every eventuality – prior preparation when floods devastated people’s lives, I felt compelled prevents poor performance was something I was used to help. Local clubs in the East Midlands were quick to being told on a regular basis. It’s no small feat to put to arrange drop off points and local Tables donated on a large scale public event which is supported by some essentials like food, clothing and cleaning materials. of the top local media outlets as well as the local Council “I myself drove a van of these items to Mytholmroyd themselves. and helped distribute them among the local “I have found that being a part of Round Table gives community. All the people I spoke to were humbled by you the opportunity to do more in the local community the support given, especially by us in the Round Table and see what a real difference you can make while doing community”. do More WHAT IS ROUND TABLE? Founded in 1927, Round Table is about having fun with a great bunch of mates and helping local communities. Round Table clubs raise over £2 million a year for local charities and good causes through various fundraising events including bonfire nights, beer festivals and Santa sleigh collections. Sister organisation Ladies Circle is open to women aged 18-45 and offers the same benefits of Round Table. Round Table is really keen to welcome serving and ex-Service personnel. To demonstrate this, Round Table introduced an Armed Forces scheme whereby they can claim six months free membership upon joining the organisation and any interested men will be offered a free night out with their local club. Further Information Head to www.RoundTable. co.uk/armed-forces-scheme to find out more.