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HMS Victory gets her own ‘Nelson’ after raising money for Hounds for Heroes
6 November 2024
The serving crew of HMS Victory named one of the Hounds for Heroes assistance dogs ‘Nelson’, after raising over £10,000 for the British charity last year.
HMS Victory’s ship’s company succeeded in raising the considerable amount by running a series of fundraising initiatives through their Associate Mess Member functions. These included placing collection tins on the bar, charging port fines at mess dinners, hosting associate night raffles and auctions, as well as collecting donations at various other events.
Thanks to their remarkable fundraising efforts, which granted them Gold Sponsorship status with the charity, the Royal Navy’s ship company of HMS Victory was able to part-fund the basic training for one the cadet dogs which they named ‘Nelson’, after the British naval commander who led HMS Victory to prevail over Napoleon’s fleet in 1805.
On this year’s Trafalgar Day Ceremony onboard HMS Victory, Hounds for Heroes’ founder and Royal Navy veteran, Allen Parton, visited the ship’s company to personally acknowledge the amazing level of support and fundraising that the Royal Navy crew had achieved, and to reinforce Hounds for Heroes’ ethos of improving the lives of serving and ex-service personnel, especially around this poignant period of Remembrance.
The very clear message being sent out to over 900,000 injured and disabled veterans in the UK today is that our colleagues care and we are not forgotten. From where I sit in the wheelchair, it’s a very powerful and a much-needed message to hear.
He said: “To have the serving crew members of the Senior Mess of HMS Victory standing shoulder to shoulder with us on our charity mission these last six years is truly humbling.
“The very clear message being sent out to over 900,000 injured and disabled veterans in the UK today is that our colleagues care and we are not forgotten. From where I sit in the wheelchair, it’s a very powerful and a much-needed message to hear.”
Upon reflecting on the success of the fundraising, the Commanding Officer of HMS Victory, Lt Cdr Brian Smith, said: “I am extremely proud of the efforts from everyone on HMS Victory who have come together to raise such an incredible amount for Hounds for Heroes.
“We’re delighted to support this charity which makes a difference in the lives of wounded Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel.”
Founded in 2010, the purpose of Hounds for Heroes is to provide specially trained assistance dogs to both members of the UK Armed Forces and emergency services who have become physically disabled through illness or injury, with the aim to enhance quality of life following the aftermath of trauma. The assistance dogs training programme can take up to two years to complete; after that, the charity will partner a client with a ‘cadet’ dog, enabling former and serving personnel to start the journey that will restore their dignity and self-worth, as they regain the unique feeling of loyalty, trust and team spirit that is often lost on leaving the military or civilian services.
If you wish to support Hounds for Heroes, please visit: https://www.houndsforheroes.com/