Crowds, Cheers, and Charity: the Team Forces ‘family’ at Sandown Races
Nearly 200 guests, Team Forces’ sponsors, beneficiaries and supporters, gathered at Sandown Racecourse for a day of thrilling races, fine hospitality, and inspiring stories. While the horses dashed toward the finish line, attendees celebrated victories of a different kind — those of the remarkable individuals supported by Team Forces.
Between bites of delicious food and sips of something bubbly, guests heard first-hand about the incredible achievements of beneficiaries who have been helped by the Team Forces and so many in the room. From overcoming personal challenges to reaching new professional heights, their stories were nothing short of inspiring.
The day wasn’t just about racing form and fancy hats it was a chance to see the real impact of Team Forces’ work. Sponsors had the opportunity to meet those they support, and beneficiaries could share their journeys in a relaxed (and slightly competitive) atmosphere.
As the final race wrapped up and goodbyes were exchanged, one thing was clear: Team Forces isn’t just about backing winners on the track but it’s about backing winners in life. And if this event was anything to go by, the future looks bright for both the organization and the individuals it supports.
With boxxe, the event headline sponsor, joining Team Forces and Spectra Group as race sponsors, it was a great day watching military jockeys performing on such a big stage. Convivial fun of the party, a flutter or two on the Tote and of course some pomp and ceremony with it being the Royal Artillery Gold Cup made for a memorable day.
This is all made possible by the fabulous family of companies that loyally continue to support Team Forces wanting to engage with the defence community, help us to enable individuals and groups to do great things from Zara Lachlan and her world record row to all manner of charities and groups helping disadvantaged youth, families, disabled veterans and so many more; all through the medium of sport, challenge and adventure.
What a fabulous day, thank you for your ongoing support particularly boxxe as a key sponsor of the day
Some of the attending beneficiary groups and representatives
Youth support organisations catering for under privileged young people in our community:
- The Ulysses Trust
- Little Troopers
- Ex Leviathan – taking groups of inner London cadets on tall ship sailing challenges
Wounded In Service Veteran support organisations, providing recovery pathways for those suffering from mental or physical wellbeing issues and helping them to look to the future in their drive to overcome adversity:
Whilst our star individuals included:
- Zara Lachlan Atlantic solo row – a journey of 4000 miles over 97 days, breaking 2 world records in the process.
- World’s Toughest Row competitors HMS Oardacious Valkyries, Lt Nicola Hall and, Force Atlantic, Capt Imy O’Brian.
- Dan Smith – a former Army regular sergeant in the Artillery and now a reservist who, later this year, will be doing a challenging solo canoe journey along 350km of the remote and dangerous Yukon river.
- Garth Miller – a former regular now Reservist officer who with a small team of ex-military is planning an audacious bid to reach the summit of Everest in only 7 days starting and returning from London in that timeframe.
- Craig Wood – a former soldier in the Rifles and also a triple amputee who will be departing later this month to start a solo row bid across the Pacific Ocean.
- Billy McLeod from Veterans in Action who is about to lead VE-80 a convoy of overland vehicles, composed of veterans suffering from PTSD, on a 4,000 mile journey across Europe.
