Valley Veterans is one of two winners of Finning UK & Ireland’s national ‘Win Big’ competition, receiving a brand-new Cat® excavator to power its project work forward. Finning launched the free-to-enter competition, organised to mark Caterpillar’s 100th anniversary, with one winner in mind, however the high calibre of entries led to them naming two winners: Valley Veterans and the Colin Burt Reserve for Wildlife Conservation in Scotland. Both winners were invited to Finning UK & Ireland headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire to celebrate their win with the Finning team. During the day Finning provided training on mini excavators, as well as tutorial on how the new machine owners can get the very best from their new excavators with telematics.  Valley Veterans, a charity based in the Rhondda Valley, was founded more than 20 years ago as an informal support group for PTSD sufferers and is now a vibrant hub with more than 140 active participants. Its Equi-Grow project includes the development of a purpose-built equine and horticultural space for activities supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of veterans. It has won a Cat 301.5 excavator to help get groundwork underway.   To mark Caterpillar’s centenary year in 2025, Finning hosted the giveaway on its website, asking participants: ‘How would winning a Cat machine or generator help you build something that lasts?’    Gary Megarrell, Managing Director at Finning UK and Ireland, said the high quality of the entries meant it was impossible to select just one winner. He said: “The 100th anniversary of Caterpillar provided the perfect opportunity to gift our winners with the equipment they need to take their projects forward. The answers from the Colin Burt Reserve and Valley Veterans truly embodied the values we share at Finning around safety and inclusivity.   Caterpillar’s centenary and Finning’s desire to have a positive impact within the community “We are delighted both organisations are now the owners of mini excavators, and that this will make a real, tangible difference to their projects and to their visitors. This prize-giving has been a fantastic way to mark what has been a very memorable year celebrating the Finning partnerships.”   The winners were given the choice between a Cat 301.6 excavator or a Cat DE110E2 genset as their prize. They were also automatically enrolled in a set of monthly prize draws – with rewards up for grabs including a trip to Malaga.   Valley Veterans was last year honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It has been presented with the centenary celebration Cat machine that was on display at Finning’s headquarters in Cannock during the anniversary year. Nigel Locke, Secretary of Valley Veterans, said, “This recognition from Finning comes on the back of a remarkable year for us and inspires us to keep working to make a difference to veterans and their families. “The Equi-Grow project will allow us to significantly increase our capacity to train and mentor members, while also extending support to a wider veteran and community audience across the South Wales Valleys. “Having this excavator means we can accelerate the development of the site and support even more veterans in overcoming the challenges of isolation and loneliness.”   Photo caption: Representatives from Valley Veterans  were invited to Finning UK & Ireland headquarters to celebrate their win with the Finning team.

The achievement of Valley Veterans' founder and chief executive Paul Bromwell was celebrated at a prestigious ceremony at Windsor Castle when he was presented with his MBE by HRH The Princess Royal. Paul was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to veterans and vulnerable people in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Honours are a way of celebrating extraordinary people who go above and beyond to change the world around them for the better. Paul, accompanied by his wife Sian Bromwell and their daughters Rhian and Lowri, travelled to Windsor for the ceremony where he was presented with his medal by Princess Anne in January.

Valley Veterans is delighted to announce that it has received £20,000 funding from the Army Benevolent Fund to help deliver a wide-ranging programme of physical and mental health support for veterans, reservists, serving personnel and their families.   Recognised as a model for holistic Armed Forces support in Wales, Valley Veterans offers a dedicated mental health service for veterans, as well as equine therapy, horticultural activities and meaningful outdoor work, all designed to support emotional wellbeing and reduce loneliness.   "We are sincerely grateful to the Army Benevolent Fund for funding the essential support we provide to veterans in the community and we very much look forward to our new partnership,” said Chief Executive Paul Bromwell. The charity’s partnerships with NHS Veterans Wales, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg MIND and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board ensures that people can access specialist help quickly and without repeatedly retelling their story. The Army Benevolent Fund award will help strengthen this vital, person-centred model. The twice-weekly support hubs provide warm, welcoming spaces with hot meals and opportunities to socialise. The hubs also host clinics and advice sessions delivered with partners including SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, NHS Veterans Wales, MIND, Diabetes UK, RCT Citizens Advice Bureau, RNID Cymru and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council ensuring easy access to mental health support, physical health checks, benefits support and practical guidance   The support hubs run every Wednesday from 9am to midday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm.

Valley Veterans was delighted to be presented with the SSAFA Shield for its collaborative work with the Armed Forces charity. The Shield was presented at SSAFA's AGM in March at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff.

Solar power is to be installed into the cabin on our site thanks to funding from Coalfields Regeneration Trust – Wales. This will make a significant difference to the support provided to veterans and community organisations and companies who attend our site to volunteer their services. Many thanks to Coalfields Regeneration Trust – Wales.

Hosted by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, in collaboration with Valley Veterans and more 30 regional organisations, the event held on 26 June 2025, brought together Veterans and their families, and partners from across the region. It was a day of connection, support, and gratitude - reminding us that caring for those who have served our nation means caring for their health and wellbeing too. The Highlights report was published on a very special day for Valley Veterans - 5th November – our 5th anniversary as a registered charity. Read the report here. https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/news/news-files/veterans-report-english-pdf/ Watch the video highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYstCJClH0Y&t=2s

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