In spite of the weather attempting to spoil the day, ironic it seemed to be good old South Atlanctic FI's weather welcoming for the first time a contingent of FVF veterans. Irrespective of the wind and rain, the day itself was a resounding success for the 16th year and was enjoyed by all present. Click here to see pictures

Prior to the near fatal car accident of television's Top Gear presenter RICHARD HAMMOND , a  National Awards Ceremony  was held at the Hilton London Metropolean  Hotel. An awards ceremony was  run in partnership by the Institiute of fundraising and the  Professional Fundraising magazine and supported by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)  to acknowledge a selection of the most influential and well respected fundraisers from across the UK's sector ..... Click here to see pictures

Fallen comrades were remembered at a Sunday ceremony to mark the 24th Anniversary of the ceasefire of the Falklands War on 14th June 1982. Veterans came from afar to an open air service at the Falklands memorial next to the Square Tower in Old Portsmouth. ........ Click Here To Find Out More >>

Thanks to the support and organisation of Petty Officer Physical Trainer (POPT) ‘YORKIE' TATE of HMS SULTAN and by kind permission of the Commanding Officer Commodore G J Thwaites ADC RN, a Boxing Dinner Show was held in the Gymnasium which saw bouts fiercely contested

between representatives of HMS SULTAN and HMS COLLINGWOOD. The dinner itself raised much needed funds in support of three worthy charitable causes i.e. Children In Need, Multiple Sclerosis and Children of Chernobyl. ........ Click Here To Find Out More >>

Held at the end of  2005  at the Royal Naval Association, Gosport & Fareham Branch, which generated a total sum of £150.00 via an evening raffle. The evening was arranged by Quizmaster LES HEYHOE and held by courtesy of Mrs RITA LOCK, President of RNA Area 3 and various RNA Branch members were present as it was the Area's annual social gathering. Outside guests were also welcome via the FVF which saw representative teams in attendance from the Gosport public houses, The White Swan and The Glencoe, who became the Winners and Runners-Up respectively . ........ Click Here To Find Out More >>

Held for the first time as a private function at the Junior Rates Mess at HMS SULTAN, the venue and the event proved to be popular with 160 attendees. In attendence were staunch supporters of the FVF, The Mayor of Gosport, Councillor GRAHAM BURGESS, together with Councillor DEREK KIMBER (Falkland Veteran) and Councillor JOHN 'JOCK' TRAIN who was fortunate to be the evening's winner of the grand raffle draw first prize which was a portable colour TV with DVD ........ Click Here To Find Out More >>

Falkland Veteran WO1 (RM) Nige Rees,The President of the Warrant Officers, Senior Rates & Non-Commissioned Officers Mess, HMS SULTAN, invited LES HEYHOE to be his top table guest who in turn invited WO2 (RM) CLIFF WILLIAMS, currently serving at RNAS Yeovolton, to accompany him. A good friend of Les, Cliff  has supported him throughout his years in fundraising prior to the formation of the FVF and was present at the opening of the FVF's Office in Gosport in November 2002. ........ Click Here To Find Out More >>

2005  prove d to be a very successful year in awards and recognition bestowed upon LES HEYHOE , the FVF 's Fundraising & Events Manager.

During the past 30 years Les has successfully raised over £10,000,000 (Ten Million Pounds) for a multitude of local and national charities as well as charities abroad, in particular Children Of The Gambia ( www.childrenofthegambia.com ) where he and his wife Lyn (The FVF 's Treasurer/Secretary) have frequently visited since 1994. ........ Click Here To Find Out More >>

The Freedom of the Borough of Gosport was awarded to the FVF on behalf of all Falklands Veterans and their families, on Wednesday the 24th of August 2005.

The Parade was a great success with around two hundred Veterans turning out in what can only be described as weather appropriate to the day, with rain and wind beating down on all who had turned out. The Veterans took it all in their stride and it was incredible to see so many people standing through the ceremony..." Click Here To Find Out More >>

‘What is a Drumhead Ceremony'? In past centuries, religious worship on the battlefield often took place as a 'Drumhead Ceremony'. Soldiers would parade on three sides of a hollow square. On the fourth side, drummers would pile their drums in the shape of a pyramid to make an altar and drape it with regimental colours. This form of ceremony is often used now to commemorate those who have fallen in conflict.

Maritime Veterans from UK and abroad took part in a special international ceremony held on Wednesday 29 th June 2005 – 10am to 4pm – and gave maritime veterans, including those who were never involved in battle, the opportunity to come together and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. ..." Click Here To Find Out More >>

As part of the school curriculum for History / Community Studies, Gilly Gilchrist MBE (HMS SHEFFIELD) & Ray Metcalfe (HMS FEARLESS) either accompanied Les or attended schools separately to pass onto the youngsters, who ranged in age from 8 to 14, their past experiences of ‘Service Life'. This proved to be such a success that some schools have invited Les & Ray to return during future school term lessons ..." Click Here To Find Out More >>

Arranged via Les Heyhoe upon liaison and with the support of Rita Lock, National Council member of the Royal Naval Association (RNA), HMS FEARLESS Falklands Veterans CPOWtr . Ray Metcalfe (from Gosport), AB(M) Keith ‘ Baz ' Broome (from Chatham) and Steve Bloxham (ex-CPO Cox'n RAN – who came over especial ly from Australia) were invited to spend the four days on the RNA stand to promote and sell a CD/DVD boxed set called ‘The Journey'.

During this period it was arranged that a presentation of the Battle Ensign flown by HMS FEARLESS during the Falklands War in 1982 was presented to the Royal Naval Museum ..." Click Here To Find Out More >>