Post by son-of-tiny on Sept 24, 2007 21:30:12 GMT
Forces Reunited Petition
A couple of our members have started a petition to help Falklands Veterans return to pay their respects.
According to Rab Carrigan, there are in the region of 8000 veterans that for one reason or another need to return to the Falkland Islands, to put old ghosts to rest and/or visit places that they served to protect.
At present there are two option available for veterans to travel, through the RAF or by civilian flights. The RAF takes in a one stop flight and this is 20hrs, at a cost of £1169 + £20 airport tax. The civilian route is to Spain then Chile then Falklands, taking up to 3 days at a cost of £980.
These flights could be given to veterans at a vastly reduced price. This would give financial relief to veterans and the organisations that support them. At present veterans wanting to afford these flights need to go through a vetting system and be means tested to get support from The Royal British legion, SSAFA and other Associations. This, however, puts a massive strain on the limited resources, especially when these flights go to the Falkland Islands half empty on a regular basis to support the military garrison on the Islands.
It is time that the Government and MOD stepped up and started supporting British Forces Veterans in their rehabilitation. Not to put red tape and bureaucratic obstacles in their way.
There is a petition on the government website at petitions.pm.gov.uk/Falklandflights/
Please sign it if you feel you can.
www.forcesreunited.org.uk
A couple of our members have started a petition to help Falklands Veterans return to pay their respects.
According to Rab Carrigan, there are in the region of 8000 veterans that for one reason or another need to return to the Falkland Islands, to put old ghosts to rest and/or visit places that they served to protect.
At present there are two option available for veterans to travel, through the RAF or by civilian flights. The RAF takes in a one stop flight and this is 20hrs, at a cost of £1169 + £20 airport tax. The civilian route is to Spain then Chile then Falklands, taking up to 3 days at a cost of £980.
These flights could be given to veterans at a vastly reduced price. This would give financial relief to veterans and the organisations that support them. At present veterans wanting to afford these flights need to go through a vetting system and be means tested to get support from The Royal British legion, SSAFA and other Associations. This, however, puts a massive strain on the limited resources, especially when these flights go to the Falkland Islands half empty on a regular basis to support the military garrison on the Islands.
It is time that the Government and MOD stepped up and started supporting British Forces Veterans in their rehabilitation. Not to put red tape and bureaucratic obstacles in their way.
There is a petition on the government website at petitions.pm.gov.uk/Falklandflights/
Please sign it if you feel you can.
www.forcesreunited.org.uk