'Fun in the Field' raises over £11,000 for SSAFA

21 September 2021

The organisers of Fun in the Field – held recently at Berwick St John, close to Shaftesbury on the Wiltshire-Dorset border – have raised a fantastic £11,464.90 for SSAFA! The figure is more than double the total raised in 2019.

Royal Navy veteran Gary Hall and his wife Yvonne, Colour Sergeant Ian Smith RM, and the rest of the Fun in the Field team organised and ran the 2021 event.

The three-day festival saw 500 people from all services come together to enjoy musical performances, entertainment, food, and traditional games. Acts on the bill this year included sea shanty band The Dorset Wrecks, The Lee Travis Trio, Loose Connections, and the Royal Navy Volunteer Band conducted by Sergeant Kirsty Flew RM.

Thanking those involved and who attended, Yvonne and Gary said: “After 18 months of blood, sweat and tears from our brilliant administration team working behind the scenes in organising every detail and preparation in readiness for this year’s festival, we as a team appreciate you – the ‘Fun in the Fielders’ – in your huge support enthusiasm and generosity throughout the weekend.

“It was so fantastic to see like-minded people enjoying each other’s company whether they knew each other or not.

“To be able to donate such a huge amount to SSAFA is unbelievable but also incredibly satisfying in the knowledge that we all did this, and each and every one of you should take a bow and give yourselves a huge pat on your back. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“We smashed it!”

There was much praise on social media from attendees, including:

“It was so good to have ‘normality’ amongst new and old friends. I think this weekend was very much needed by all of us after Covid and to raise such a huge amount of money is the icing on the cake.” - Carol.

“Fantastic, BZ Admin and all of those that worked so tirelessly to make this happen, but don't forget that as good as this is, the opportunity that you afforded all of us to be able to get together, to share, and to have so much fun, is worth its weight in gold, roll on the next one.” - Kevin.

“Without you I would not have found myself. I was lost when I left the RN and thought I could do it. I found myself in the field my first year and have not looked back. I now know I have lots of unconditional friends! So, I thank you all very, very much!” - Jenny.