Page 7 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 58

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

RBLI Tommy Club Gold Champion Awards 2021

As a Founding Patron of the Tommy Club,
Enjoying lunch while
and proud silver Tommy badge holder due to finding out who were
completing the charity cycle ride in July from the recipients of the
Aylesford in Kent to Meriden in the West Gold Tommy Awards
Midlands, I was delighted to be invited to the
first ever Gold Champion Awards Ceremony on
17th September. A group of around 60 people
gathered in the Garden of Honour at the RBLIs
headquarters in Aylesford on a warm, sunny
I suppose there were around 20 worthy
Friday morning to firstly enjoy a tour of the most
recipients in total, the very first of which was one
recent buildings being constructed as part of their
of our own members, former ACC officer Peter
Centenary Village project. The last time I did so
Girling, who featured in Edition 55. Peter has
it was a muddy patch of ground so, as you will see
enjoyed a very varied and hugely successful career
from the picture, work is progressing well and is
including a significant amount of support towards
expected to be completed by next Spring. I enjoyed
the establishment of the RBLIs Centenary Village,
meeting some very interesting people during my
amongst many other charities. Unfortunately Peter
tour, more about this later.
was unable to be there on the day but the award
Wally Vincent (left) was presented to his daughter Helen, who was
pictured with Steve Sherry
CMG, OBE, Chief Executive delighted to accept this on his behalf. By chance
of the RBLI I had met Helen a little earlier in the day and we
shared stories about Peter, in particular his habit
of persuading people (like me) to help. I was
interested to learn that Helen was the Goddaughter
to another retired senior ACC officer who shall
remain nameless. I shall enjoy calling him “Uncle
……….” the next time we speak! The awards
ceremony continued with several others who had
raised significant amounts for RBLI and/or had
Following the tour, we returned to the Garden done great things. Two gentlemen in particular
of Honour where the launch of Tommy’s Mini rowed across the Atlantic and in the process were
Mission took place with the unveiling of a brand recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the
new BMW Mini which is being raffled to raise oldest pair to do so; a truly exceptional achievement.
much needed money for the RBLI. As you will In addition to the Chief Executive, Steve Sherry
see, tickets are available at just £1 until 30th CMG, OBE, there were many others who received
March 2022 and details of how to buy online can Gold Tommy’s in recognition of their tremendous
be found on the Tommy’s Mini Mission image. support, as I said, quite humbling.
We then moved into a marquee to enjoy a deli- For those who wish to do so, please consider
cious packed lunch and to learn who were going joining the Tommy Club online, it is only £15 and
to receive their Gold Tommy awards and certif- it really is a tremendous cause that is
icates. It was during this part of the day that doing so much for veterans
I felt rather humble to be in such esteemed and their families.
company, for reasons
Major (Retd) Wally Vincent,
I shall explain.
Secretary ACC Association
BRAND NEW MINI
2 Tommy's Mini Mission - Raffle ticket .indd 1
2 Tommy's Mini Mission - Raffle ticket .indd 1
Scan to enter RBLI’s new raffle for just £1 to win a
20/08/2021 15:47
20/08/2021 15:47

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