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Military Families Charity of the Year

Naval Children’s Charity delighted to be awarded ‘Military Families Charity of the Year’

The Celebrating Forces Families (CFF) Awards highlight contributions and unwavering support provided by military families and its communities and celebrates the achievements of the UK’s Armed Forces support networks.

A performance by a combined choir featuring Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists Voices of Armed Forces Children Choir and the Military Wives choirs opened the evening celebrations.

Forces champion and Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton MBE co-presented the awards alongside Forces News presenter Sian Grzeszczyk.

One of three finalists for, and the ultimate winner of, the title of ‘Military Families Charity of the Year’, the Naval Childrens Charity supports children from naval families, up to age 25, helping around 4,000 children and young people each year with grants in times of crisis or with significant issues such as disability/illness, resources to support mental health and wellbeing, and opportunities to enhance and improve outcomes through the Life Chances Programme. The charity puts children front and centre, staff have first-hand experience of service life, they understand, have empathy, and change lives every day.

Upon winning the award CEO of the Charity, Clare Scherer MBE said:

‘We are all absolutely delighted to have won this wonderful Award.  It is a true testament to the work of the Charity and the amazing Team who do so much to change children and young people’s lives every day.  It is a privilege to do what we do to support our Naval children but to be acknowledged with this Award means so much.  Thank you to the Judges, all those who voted for us and to our wonderful families who support their Serving and Veteran loved ones who do so much for us all.’

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How we can help you

Apply for Financial Assistance using the Lightning Reach portal.

For applications for financial assistance you can apply by clicking on Register for Help below which will take you to the Lightning Reach portal. This platform is provided by our trusted partner, Lightning Reach, a social impact startup which uses secure technology to make the application process as quick and safe as possible for you.

Register for Help
A simple 3 step process
  1. Register and complete your profile here
    When asked to specify which of the Armed Forces you have served in, make sure to select ‘Royal Navy’, ‘Royal Marines’, ‘Merchant Navy in support of the Armed Forces’ or from the roles / industries list to ensure you are matched to Naval Children’s Charity.

  2. Once you’ve completed your profile, you should receive a support match to The Naval Children’s Charity. Click ‘continue’ to complete and submit your application.

  3. Provide your supporting evidence and submit your application to The Naval Children’s Charity.

Once your application has been made a caseworker will be in touch as soon as possible, this is usually within 3 days.

The profile you create on the Lightning Reach portal can also help you to find and apply for support from other support organisations easily and securely. We recommend that you submit your application to The Naval Children’s Charity first before submitting applications to other organisations.

For help with completing your application, visit Lightning Support and search for ‘The Naval Children’s Charity’.

If you have a question or not sure what help you need and require information or advice please use this online form.

Online Enquiry Form
Alternatively, If you would prefer to call our casework team, we can be contacted on 023 9263 9534, our office hours are 0830-1600 Monday to Friday.

How we can help you

The Naval Children’s Charity supports children up to and including the age of 25 whose parent(s) serve or have served in the Naval Service: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS, their Reserves and the RFA. If you need information or advice regarding support for your child(ren) please fill in the form to the best of your knowledge. One of our caseworkers will then contact you.

If you would prefer to call us we can be contacted on 023 9263 9534, our office hours are 0830-1600 Monday to Thursday and 0830-1300 on Friday.