BAE Systems provide AFC Fylde Community Foundation with £105,000 funding

BAE Systems have provided AFC Fylde Community Foundation with £105,000 funding to continue supporting our Armed Forces programme.

The Foundation's Armed Forces programme has been supported by BAE Systems for five years and with the most recent investment, we are delighted to announce we will be extending this long-standing partnership for an extra three years.

The international aerospace and defence company with a significant local presence at Warton and Samlesbury, has been an integral part in helping create the influence we have supporting Veterans and current service personnel in the Fylde community.

Our Armed Forces Support Co-ordinator, Lee Geraghty, has developed the programme into what it is today. Lee runs weekly group activities consisting of breakfast clubs in St. Anne's and at Mill Farm, a 'Walk and Talk' in Lytham and a games morning alternating between board games and model airplane building one week and free golf the next.

Lee, having served in the military for 22 years, works closely with a large number of Veterans on a one-to-one basis on how to adapt to life outside of the forces.

We have our very own Armed Forces football team which have an entire section of the office dedicated to all of their trophies they've won over the last few years.

Lee said: "Initially I was working at the Foundation part-time before we received the first funding to setup a full Armed Forces programme. Since then, we never looked back and we wouldn't be in the position we are today if it wasn't for BAE Systems.

"Having served in the army myself, it's amazing to see the support BAE Systems provide us with. Thanks to their funding, we are able to put on weekly sessions and I can spend my time ensuring that Veterans are well looked after and offer as much support as possible to those who need it."

Paul Earnshaw, Head of Communications for BAE Systems Air, visited Fylde Sports and Education Centre to present the Foundation with a cheque and sit down with members of our team to discuss future plans.

Paul said: "We've worked with AFC Fylde Community Foundation for a number of years now with a focus on the work that they do with the Veterans, which is absolutely fantastic.

"We are committed to strengthening relationships and investing in our communities, and supporting programmes connected to the Armed Forces and the Veterans community is a key part of that commitment. We're proud to continue this partnership for a further three years, helping the Foundation to continue, and grow, their Armed Forces programme."

The Foundation would like to state their gratitude to BAE Systems for placing their trust in us once again and we look forward to continuing working together until 2029.