Amey’s Secure Infrastructure business, a provider of critical facilities services for the public sector and UK Defence, has raised over £320,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Amey is proud to be one of the largest corporate supporters of SSAFA, and in 2015, made a commitment to raise £250,000 to support its mentoring programme, which provides long-term, one-to-one, face-to-face support during transition and for up to two years post discharge as individuals make their journey from military to civilian life.
Since then, Amey’s employees and supply chain partners have raised more than £320,000 by taking part in numerous charitable events and fundraising activities. In April 2020, Ferrovial, Amey’s parent company created the Ferrovial Juntos COVID-19 fund with the goal of raising money to help fight the impact of the pandemic. As a result, more than £300k was made available for UK charities, of which SSAFA was gifted almost £44,000.
Around 9% of the workforce in Amey’s Defence contracts come from a military background with a number having personally received SSAFA’s support themselves. Others have been inspired by the mentoring programme and have undertaken the journey to become a SSAFA mentor or used their own experiences of military life to help SSAFA’s mentors better understand how it feels to leave their Forces family.
In recognition of Amey’s incredible contribution, Carl Shadrake, a twice wounded veteran, and Amey Project Manager, was recently invited to attend SSAFA’s Annual Thank You Reception at the National Army Museum in Chelsea. Carl is no stranger to the work SSAFA do, having received their support following medical discharge from the Grenadier Guards in 2014.
Carl and his wife joined other corporate businesses, fundraisers, ambassadors, beneficiaries, and Service families to hear a presentation by Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB DL, who talked about the impact that COVID-19 has had on charities over the last two years. A moving and heartfelt story was also shared by a veteran of the Royal Signals who lost her brother to cancer. She was guided out of a dark place by SSAFA who have given her hope and a spark back into her life.
To date, Amey’s contribution has provided 425 mentors with specialist transitional training which has supported 1250 Service leavers, and their families, to fulfil their potential in their new lives outside the military.
Commenting on the achievement, Emma Taylor, Head of Commercial & Corporate Partnerships at SSAFA said: “The incredible amount raised by Amey’s staff for SSAFA bears testament to the high regard our Armed Forces are held in as well as the faith people have in SSAFA to fulfil its remit by supporting our Forces family be it practically, emotionally, or financially.
“It is because of this faith that our teams of volunteers and employees can help those in need, and last year that was more than 79,000 people, from Second World War veterans to those who have served in more recent conflicts or are still currently serving, and their families.
“So, I extend my personal thanks – as well as those of SSAFA and its beneficiaries – to Amey and its staff after what has been another difficult and uncertain year for us in the UK.”
Craig McGilvray, Amey’s Managing Director, Secure Infrastructure, added: “Covid-19 has had a profound impact on the charity sector in the UK and SSAFA is one of many organisations who have experienced a loss of income from fundraising activities, and an increase in the number of people contacting their helpline for support.
“The last two years have been extremely challenging and I’m incredibly proud that our employees and supply chain partners have continued with their efforts to fundraise for this vital charity who help to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
“We look forward to continuing our support throughout 2022.”