ING (7 NOVEMBER 2010)

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ARMY WIDOWS’ ASSOCIATION (AWA) 'Supporting today's widows'

On the 19 April 2010, an RLC Team from HQ 5^th Division and HQ 143 (WM) Brigade where due to compete in the Boston Marathon (one of the World 5 Marathon Majors). Unfortunately the team never made it to the because of the flight ban in the over the race weekend, this was due to the volcanic ash cloud over airspace.

All is not lost; we have managed to secure places in the New York Marathon on the7 November 2010 and therefore we will still compete in a marathon to warrant your donation. Sadly 3 of the original team have had to pull out due to work commitments, however 3 new novice runners have stepped up to take on the challenge. The team is now made up of 3 runners from 143 (WM) Brigade and 1 runner from 27 Regiment RLC, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank  WO1s Kelly Akers, Dave Wakefield and Gaz Hatton for their efforts so far raising funds in support of the AWA.

We will now be running the New York Marathon in support of the Army Widows’ Association (AWA), a registered charity that was formed by Army widows in 2004. The AWA aims to offer comfort, support and friendship to the widows and widowers of service men and women and help them to resolve some of the difficulties they may face after the death of their spouse. As well as liaising with the Army on behalf of widows, the Association offers support and friendship to widows (and their children) and hope to make the transition from being a wife to a widow a little easier. 

There are so many things to do in the early stages of bereavement and one of the strengths of the AWA is they have a very broad range of ages and experiences so someone will probably have the answer to a question or be able to talk through procedures concerning a multitude of situations (such as a Service Inquiry, Coroner's Inquest or how to fill in the forms when a child takes a gap year before going on to university so that a pension can be reinstated).  Although they are all volunteers and carry out Committee roles from home, they are all committed to offering support to those widowed since 1981.   

Once a year in the summer, the AWA hold a weekend get-together at Amport House near .  It can be an emotional weekend but all gain a great deal of strength from those that attend and it is at this point that many ladies attending for the first time realise that they are not alone.  There are tears but also the realisation that widows are allowed to smile, laugh and enjoy themselves.  Friendships are formed and frequently people get together when they realise there maybe another widow living nearby. 

I know that not everyone will be in a position to donate and support our efforts to raise such a considerable amount in support of the Army Widows’ Association, but if you have read the above we will have made one more person aware of the support the AWA provide to widows and widowers of service men and women.

Could I ask that everyone who receives this or has access to the above, pass it on to one or more of your friends or colleagues. 

Thank you for your support (donation) on behalf of the AWA,

Capt Den Howard RLC, WO1 Lee Seager RLC, WO2 Mac McKenzie RLC, WO2 Paul Eversfield RLC, PC Erica Hanson (PSNI)