A group from the Rutland Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club have taken part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out, a fundraising challenge designed to support the estimated 6,000 veterans currently experiencing homelessness in the UK.

The annual event is organised by the Royal British Legion and sees patriots, as well as former and serving military personnel, sleep out in tents and sleeping bags to raise valuable funds to support homeless veterans.

12 members of Rutland's monthly breakfast club took to their tents on 22 March at the local scout grounds, where they enjoyed a BBQ, a beer or two, toasted marshmallows and welcomed wonderful company.

This was the biggest sleep out yet for the group, who participate yearly, as well as getting involved in local meet ups and other Royal British Legion events.

Each member set up a fundraising page and raised an impressive £150 each, totalling nearly £2,000!

They said a big "thank you" to Alan, who owns the scout ground and supported the fundraising success.

The Tommy Sleep Out is an annual event, and anyone can get involved. Image credit: RAFBC.

Open to all serving members and veterans of the UK Armed Forces and her allies, the Rutland Breakfast Club offers the chance to 'return to the tribe' and have breakfast and banter with other members in an informal, safe setting.

The team said: "You will be amazed at how easy everyone fits in and the room is filled with the marvellous buzz of veterans and their family members having conversations and banter."

It isn't just 'breakfast' either, attendance often leading to involvement in other things, including:

• Armed Forces Day
• Private functions with new friends
• Sunday lunches.
• Summer & Christmas Functions.
• Ad hoc functions organised by the members.

They added: "We are a group of veterans and serving members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and like other Veterans Breakfast Clubs around the country and overseas, our ethos is mutual support. It works because we all have a similar humour and outlook, and the social life we now enjoy is like our service days. 

To get involved, call Mark or Tracey Taylor on 07548902758, or email the pair at [email protected].

Even the team mascot enjoyed a cold one! Image credit: RAFBC.

The team meet at The Grainstore on the first Saturday of the month from 9am:

Station Approach

Oakham

Rutland

LE15 6RE

Find out more online or follow the team on Facebook.