Andy McNab News

Prince William pays injured soldiers centre a visit
June 04, 2010

A special guest was invited to give the royal seal of approval to new facilities at Surrey’s medical centre for injured servicemen and women on Friday.

Prince William visited Headley Court, near Leatherhead, to open the Help for Heroes Rehabilitation Centre.

The £8m unit was funded by money donated to the Help for Heroes charity, which was formed in 2007.

Bryn Parry, the charity’s co-founder with his wife Emma, made the first speech at the opening ceremony, in front of a crowd of guests that included former EastEnder Ross Kemp and SAS legend Andy McNab.

Mr Parry paid tribute to Princes William and Harry for their fundraising work for the charity, as well as the public, whose donations allowed the facility to be built.

“This facility will stand as a lasting tribute to the affection and support the people of Great Britain feel for those who serve in our Armed Forces,” he said.

“It hasn’t been created by a few corporations making large donations.

“The vast majority of the money has come from the hundreds and thousands of ordinary people who have done their bit to raise the funds for the complex, and they continue to raise funds. Every single contribution is valued,” he said.

During his speech, Prince William spoke of when he and his younger brother first visited the centre two years ago.

“We expected to find a place of suffering with, perhaps, a pervading atmosphere of desolation. Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

“Here reigns courage, humour, compassion and, above all, hope for the future.”

Source: GetSurrey.co.uk

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The Millennium Hotel group have kindly offered to host our very first charity dinner for us at The Millennium Knightsbridge Hotel  on Thursday 20 May to help us raise funds.  We are looking to raise money to help more veterans through our therapeutic treatment and get them back to living a normal life free from all the symptoms of PTSD.  So far we have treated over 200 veterans and are getting fantastic results with the guys feeling like they can get back into civilian life and enjoy themselves once again.

The dinner will have some great food, a night of entertaining cabaret as well as a fab raffle with all sorts of prizes including an abseiling opportunity.

If any of you would like to attend please get in touch with Annie at the Millennium Hotel on 020 7201 6330 or email mu.knightsbridge@millenniumhotels.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and/or please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested in our charity and would want to help this worthy cause.  Please take a look at our website Talking2Minds and or give me a call.

I am going with a group of Talking2Minds people who will all be available to tell you all about the charity and what great results we are achieving so far and if anyone is interested in getting involved in helping this would be a great way to start.

Fiona Gordon Smart
Talking2Minds Fundraising

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Andy McNab gets down to business
Apr 01 2010

Ex-SAS man and famed author Andy McNab underwent a covert operation in Iraq, did a stint in an Iraqi gaol and is wanted by terrorist organisations. Here he speaks to SmallBusiness.co.uk about his new recruitment company for ex-servicemen ’ForceSelect’.

Why did you start the company?

There’s around 20,000 to 22,000 servicemen leaving the army each year and many have no idea of what to do next, so I decided to help them get employment. For the first six months after leaving the military some people find it really difficult to manage their finances, especially the younger guys. You don’t have to worry about things like council tax or TV licences in the military, so we also advise them on how to adjust to those aspects of civilian life.

How did you get it off the ground?

I went to the Ministry of Defence to discuss the sorts of things we could provide. I then spent a lot of time speaking to different industries to explain what they could expect to get for their money by hiring ex-military employees. The major benefit is that they have a really good work ethic, are reliable and have a strong sense of loyalty. So it’s not about charity, what we have in fact is a really good product. Emotion aside, we’ve had some great responses from employers.

What have you had to learn?

I didn’t realise what a big industry the recruitment business is in the UK. I’ve also had to learn about compliance and what you can and can’t do according to employment law. It’s pretty full on.

What’s your career highlight?

There’s been two things. One has been doing my work with charity for those who have been wounded in conflicts Help for Heroes and think the other will be this. It’s really rewarding to see the process of people applying work and then getting jobs.

Would you have done anything differently?

I could be here for a long time, starting with the very first day I joined the army. I suppose the obvious thing would be not getting caught as a prisoner in Iraq, but I don’t regret that because it changed my life. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if I want to repeat it but it’s part and parcel of all the experiences that have shaped me.

Source: Smallbusiness.co.uk

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May 2010

“ForceSelect is attracting the calibre of people with the capability and ‘can do’ attitude that UK businesses need to succeed in this economic climate.” ~Andy McNab DCM MM

COMPANY
In May 2009 whilst cycling to Paris on behalf of Help For Heroes, Hugh Andrée wondered what more he could do to help service leavers. Having made the transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life some twelve years earlier, he remembered all too well the uncertainties and loneliness that confronted him. It soon became obvious that there was an opportunity to provide both service leavers and working veterans with a recruitment offering and support system that was tailored to look after their specific needs, and was staffed by individuals who had served in the forces and successfully made the transition into civilian life.

The business model was established with three key components: recruitment, support and mentoring and charitable donations through the ForceSelect Foundation.
 
In July 2009 Lucy Wood agreed to become Managing Director of ForceSelect, responsible for day-to-day operations. Lucy served with the Royal Artillery for six years before entering the world or recruitment in 1998.
 
In August 2009 ForceSelect was delighted when Andy McNab DCM MM agreed to join as a Director of ForceSelect. Since leaving the Army in 1993, Andy has gone on to become one of the most successful British writers of our generation as well as a successful businessman and investor.
 
2009 finished on a real high with General Sir Mike Jackson GCB CBE DSO DL agreeing to join the company as Non Executive Director and the MoD agreeing to recognise and support the company. 
 
ForceSelect now has a team of highly experienced recruitment professionals and ex- service personnel in place who manage and develop the business to provide the necessary understanding and guidance to both job seekers and employers. It is our intention that forces personnel, the MoD, service charities and of course the wider business community should benefit from the services provided by ForceSelect.

For more information go to the ForceSelect website

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Published: 22-03-2010
By Duncan Larcombe, David Willetts, Jane Hamilton and Tom Newton Dunn.

The Sun today marches to the rescue of 50,000 unemployed ex-Forces personnel with our latest groundbreaking campaign – Jobs for Heroes.
Experts fear thousands of former Servicemen and women end up on the dole or doing dead-end, depressing and demeaning jobs after coming out into Civvy Street.

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IF you are a sailor, soldier or airman leaving the Forces and want to apply for a job, log on to www.forceselect.com

IF you are a company with a vacancy you can offer to one of our brave ex-Servicemen or women, please send your details by email to info@forceselect.com

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We REFUSE to see such proud individuals – many of whom have risked their lives on combat front lines – ignored and undervalued by employers.

So we have teamed up with expert recruiters just waiting to place an army of heroes in fulfilling careers which they not only deserve, but which will be suited to their unique specialist skills.

(…)

Former SAS hero-turned-author Andy McNab is director of ForceSelect and former Army chief General Sir Mike Jackson is a non-executive director.

General Sir Mike said: “I believe that ForceSelect is going to make a tremendous contribution to helping people.

“Not only will ForceSelect find Service leavers new jobs and careers, but it will also give them mentoring and support – including financial and accommodation advice – to help make the transition.”

ForceSelect has also launched a charitable foundation where sums of money will be distributed to Forces good causes.

Troops’ top skills
By David Willetss

SAS hero and ForceSelect director Andy McNab last night explained some of the challenges faced by troops entering Civvy Street.

He said many don’t understand their potential and what fantastic skills they can offer employers.

Andy added: “There is trepidation and often the longer they have served the harder it is to get out. Many settle for sub-standard jobs or take temporary options. What they need and deserve are real jobs with a good salary and good prospects. ForceSelect is aimed at getting proper jobs for Our Boys.

Businesses are not feeling sorry for our Servicemen and women, they are realising the qualities and skills these people have. If you’re the right person for the post, Jobs for Heroes is going to get you in.” 

Go to The Sun website to read the full article

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Rob Dennis is planning an ascent of the highest peak in North Africa in order to raise funds for Help for Heroes, one of the leading charities helping soldiers today (and one of Andy McNab’s favorite charities as well, for good reason). Let’s hear it in Robert Dennis’ own words:
“My name is Robert Dennis. I am 24 years old. My friend Kurt and I are organising an expedition up Mount Toubkal in August/September 2010 to raise money for Help For Heroes. Mount Toubkal is a peak which stands within the Atlas Mountain Range in south-western Morocco. At 4167 metres, it is the highest peak in North Africa. To add to the challenge, we are expecting temperatures in excess of 40′C at this time of the year.

The reason we are raising money for Help For Heroes is because we believe in supporting the brave soldiers who have risked all for their country – most of all those that were not fortunate enough to return home in good health. Help for Heroes was launched in October 2007 in response to the desire of ordinary people to do something practical to help our wounded servicemen and women get the best help, support and futures that they deserve. If you want to help us to help them, please sponsor us on our Mount Toubkal 2010 challenge.

Please visit our online fundraising page www.justgiving.com/mounttoubkal2010 where you can read more about our expedition and make a secure online donation. As we get closer to the event, we will be updating it with news and photos on how our training and preparation is going. There will also be a blog and photos telling everyone how we did on the expedition itself after the event.

You can support Team Toubkal 2010 and Help For Heroes further by posting our link www.justgiving.com/mounttoubkal2010 on your facebook, bebo, twitter or any other networking site. Below is a paragraph you can add in your blog or post on your wall:

In August this year, a team of 8 people are going on an expedition up Mount Toubkal to raise money for the charity HELP FOR HEROES. Mount Toubkal is a peak which stands within the Atlas Mountain Range in south-western Morocco. At 4167 metres, it is the highest peak in North Africa. If you would like to support them please visit the following link where you can make a secure online donation through a registered giving site: www.justgiving.com/MountToubkal2010

Thank you very much in anticipation for your help and support. With your donations, no matter how great or small, we can make a difference to those that deserve it most!!!

Please forward this email to your friends and family. Who will in turn forward it to their friends and family.

On behalf of Help For Heroes and Team Toubkal 2010, thank you very much.

Kind regards,

Robert”

UPDATE: Pro Darts player Chris ‘Mace the Ace’ Mason has joined Team Toubkal 2010! That’s fantastic news for the team and should really help raise awareness of the charity expedition.
A very worthy cause and not a pedestrian climb by any means. Let’s help these lads out, shall we? Help them help our troops at www.justgiving.com/MountToubkal2010.

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