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We are delighted and proud to share that our founder Bryn Parry has been recognised with a CBE for his services to veterans, service personnel, and their families.
He was presented with the award on 15 February by His Majesty’s representative, Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and fellow Rifleman, Nigel Atkinson.
Bryn launched Help for Heroes in October 2007 with his wife Emma after visiting injured servicemen and women at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. It started as a bicycle ride to raise funds for a swimming pool at Headley Court in Surrey. Within eight months they had raised £8 million – Bryn and Emma had started a movement.
It is a movement that has grown to supporting all members of our Armed Forces community, helping more than 27,000 people over 15 years.
Congratulating Bryn on his award, our Chief Advocacy Ambassador Mark Elliott, who helped found the charity alongside Bryn and Emma, said: “It is incredibly hard to describe the impact Bryn has had on the Armed Forces community, particularly the wounded, sick and injured.
“Never accepting the status quo, never accepting that more couldn’t be done, never accepting that things couldn’t get better. Unrelenting in his passion and utter determination to improve the lives of the men, women and their families of our Armed Forces, Bryn and his team inspired a nation to help heroes.
“Quite simply, Bryn significantly improved the lives of all this nation’s veterans and their families for the better.”
Bryn ‘did his bit’ and has rightfully received recognition for that through this award.
Chief Advocacy Ambassador, Help for Heroes
Bryn served in the Royal Green Jackets for 10 years, including tours of Northern Ireland. He led the charity as CEO for nine years, helping it grow from its small beginnings to raising more than £50 million in less than three years. In 2010, both Bryn and Emma were appointed OBEs in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours.
In October last year, we celebrated our 15th birthday. But it all started with Bryn and Emma’s determination to do something to help. This award is in recognition of Bryn’s vision, dedication and the thousands of lives he has helped change for the better.
From all of us at Help for Heroes, congratulations Bryn!
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