National award for woman who supports members of the Armed Forces in Rushden

A woman who helps members of the Armed Forces in Rushden has won a national award for her selfless dedication and support for others.
Ann Kadiri with her awardAnn Kadiri with her award
Ann Kadiri with her award

The Soldiering On Through Life Trust (SOTLT) was formed in 2011 as a not-for-profit organisation to encourage support for the UK’s Armed Forces community by nationally recognising the achievements of groups, individuals and organisations that support this community.

It does this through an annual awards ceremony, known as The Soldiering On Awards: National Recognition for the Armed Forces.

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The finalists for 2016 were announced at a reception hosted by the charity’s patron, The Rt Hon the Lord Astor of Hever PC DL, at the House of Lords in March.

And the winners were then announced at a ceremony in April at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine and actress Vicki Michelle with actress Amanda Redman on hand to present an award.

The 37 finalists fell into nine categories, including innovations award, lifetime achievement, people’s choice award and training and rehabilitation award.

Among the winners was Ann Kadiri, the advice, information and welfare officer for the Royal British Legion’s Rushden branch, who won the family values award.

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She founded the Rushden branch’s Friendship and Companionship Group to provide veterans and members of the Armed Forces community, who may be living a lonely existence, with a kind word and a smile.

The awards are given at the discretion of the Soldiering On Through Life trustees and judges to people whose life and deeds have had a major effect on others.

The family values award is in recognition of an individual or family whose selfless dedication and support for others in ensuring they are cared for is a shining example of family values.

General the Lord Dannatt, chairman of this year’s judging panel, addressed the audience at the awards event and said: “The common thread that links our nine award categories together is the support we give to one another.

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“I have seen time and time again successful transitioning for military personnel and their families which is directly related to the support they receive from us – their community.”

Anybody can join the RBL and they do not need to have served in the Armed Forces.

Membership is £16 a year and the Rushden branch meets every second Monday of the month.

For more information contact the branch’s membership secretary Jake Baker on 07525 441267.