Forum Topic

Veterans Association collecting money in Chiswick - questions.

I have concerns about the people calling themselves the Veterans Association raising money on Chiswick High Road and Turnham Green station.There is very little information about this charity.  We know that the largest charities for ex servicemen are The Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, Army Benevolent Fund, and there is also Veterans Aid and Veterans Gateway.  The Veterans Association has only been in existence as a registered charity for the last couple of years.   There is a previous charity with the same name that was removed, and it also got funds from another charity, Veterans Relief and Support which has also been removed. There are some great charities out there which work hard to help those in need- and I would encourage anybody wishing to donate to first research any charity in detail before donating money.

Jackie Elton ● 149d30 Comments

SSAFA is the charity that (in my experience) the armed services themselves generally prefer to patronise, in terms of the many charities offering support to ex servicemen and women and their families. Some of the others charities named so far in this thread actually pass some of the money they raise onto SSAFA for SSAFA to spend. It’s therefore the one that I would always priorities over others for supporting ex forces people in need. Looking to

Tim Porter ● 145d

Successive governments have for decades looked after the needs of ex servicemen so that they don’t have to rely on charities and I am aware of specialist solicitors who represent veterans and serving servicemen who tackle the MOD in compensation claims, some of which are life changing sums of money.

Steve Taylor ● 145d

The struggles and needs of ex Servicemen have been well documented and go back centuries. The difficulty of reintegration into civilian life has always proved too much for  a significant number. Whether or not they chose that life or not. In the first place. That is why it is so important for donations to go to responsible well run charities that truly understand  and can respond to their needs.  Not to those who have simply spotted a great fundraising opportunity.

Jackie Elton ● 146d

Well I think so they should, where would we be without them.

Janice Evans ● 146d

“ Grandfather needed his, he was left disabled and struggling having been a builder before”I accept that he probably did after the war but times have changed. Our service men and women are well looked after and well paid these days and I know of PTSD cases getting paid higher six figure sums in compensation. They certainly don’t have to rely on “charity”. It’s nonsense!

Steve Taylor ● 146d

It (he/they/them/whatever?) would appear so.

Joy Griffiths ● 146d

Your reply is distastful Steve...and as a 12,000+ poster you should go away and hide!

Jim Lawes ● 146d

So they get a pension. Big f***ng deal.What about after they leave the services with PTSD and struggle to integrate back into society.You really are full of the proverbial.Go into a room full of veterans and spout your inane patter.

Andrew Jones ● 146d

And he wasn't Welsh, he was Irish.

Janice Evans ● 146d

My Grandfather needed his, he was left disabled and struggling having been a builder before going to war it was a vast contrast to his life before.

Janice Evans ● 146d

“ National Serviceman had no choice ... they were conscripted ... like me yanked out of my happy life in Chiswick and, after training,sent toto Cyprus during their emergency in the 1950s.”So after serving your country in the 50’s you feel you need charities to support you. I wonder if National Servicemen in Switzerland, Germany, Holland, South Africa and many other countries feel the same.

Steve Taylor ● 146d

“ world class pension scheme for your military serviceWhen a member of the armed forces reaches their retirement age, they receive one of the most generous pensions available in the UK. This fairly reflects the unique sacrifice they have provided their country throughout their career.All members of the armed forces are automatically enrolled into the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. Unlike all other public schemes, members pay 0% in contributions each month. The scheme is unfunded and paid from the public purse.”

Steve Taylor ● 146d

Yes Jim, and some were Flight Engineers (or air mechanic) who had no training in Combat, they were also sent.

Janice Evans ● 146d

Yes, it's a new low, even for Steve.

Andrew Jones ● 146d

Replying to Steve who says veterans chose to join the Services and got paid.Well, he's wrong again.National Serviceman had no choice ... they were conscripted ... like me yanked out of my happy life in Chiswick and, after training,sent toto Cyprus during their emergency in the 1950s.Many National Servicemen suffered injuries ... which perhaps they still endure. Some lost their lives ...to the mental and financial distress of family back home.

Jim Lawes ● 146d

This has been opening my eyes to what "fundraising" is going on the streets.  The one raising money around "knife crime" - its  called Inside Success - everywhere in London - including Chiswick, isn't actually a charity at all, use very dubious tactics and it is hard to see what good they do at all.  There is lots of stuff on the internet and an official report:  https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/about-fundraising/resources/inside-success-union-cic-january-2024 yet still they carry on! Even if the charity is registered, the Charity Commission doesn't have the resources to monitor the activities of the thousands of registered charities. I used to feel a bit guilty about avoiding all the fundraising stuff around the High Road and also door to door- now I would advise anybody else against being targeted by these groups.  It just encourages them.

Jackie Elton ● 146d

"Also not sure why veterans need a charity. They were paid to do a job of their choice. They get pensions and a health service."Blow me downYou and your ways of seeing things, and Philippa and her views, would make a midnight chat on the couch very interesting to watch indeed. To the point that everyone else would be in the middle scratching ones eyes out

Julian Pavey ● 146d

If in any doubt - don’t donate. There are plenty of ways to donate to charities of your choice. Personally I don’t ever donate to street collectors. Also not sure why veterans need a charity. They were paid to do a job of their choice. They get pensions and a health service.

Steve Taylor ● 146d

To be fair to these people I found this articlehttps://theisleofthanetnews.com/2025/04/30/the-veterans-association-in-birchington-set-to-officially-open-its-new-sensory-garden/Which gives an address in Surrey Gardens Birchington This then leads to a Google Street view of a quite substantial single story building on the corner of Surrey Gardens. This has plenty of signage for the Veterans Association which obviously can't have been erected overnight in the hope of a Streetview camera passing by.The Streetview link would simply be too long to post the loction the actual address is 1 Surrey Gardens at the corner with Minnis RoadAltough quite how much "passing trade" there is for Veterans in Birchington on Sea isn't that obvious.The fact that the collectors may be scruffs may not be a factor as many vets may have mental problems etc. Whereas with other charities they'dmaybe have been made to "tidy themselves up". Dunnomichael adams

Michael Adams ● 146d

The information on the Charity Commission website is information the Charities submit about themselvesIn this instance the Independent Examiner’s Report was signed off by WCK Accountancy17 Edison Road Eastbourne BN23 6PT12 Which is located on an Industrial Estate Except it wasn't actually signed by any individualA cynic ( and further Googling) might suggest that anyactual vetting of these details by the CC may be subject to delays. Of around a year ?Surely a first priority for any charity must be generating good publicity for themselves; if only in local media to start withmichael adams

Michael Adams ● 147d

From what I could  any local Kent charity who fills out the application properly gets to be a finalist.  The flyer doesn’t make it clear that it operates in one small place in Kent. But why is such a relatively new and  local charity, (to Kent)with previous editions closed)down,  and just one little local  drop in hub raising money across London.  Interesting way of raising funds.  If a local charity, there should be plenty of places in Kent to try first, if known and trusted. There are so many excellent charities already in this sector.

Jackie Elton ● 147d

Also mentioned in https://kentcharityawards.com/2024-winners-finalists/

Andrew Jones ● 147d

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5198296/charity-overview?_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_organisationNumber=5198296

Andrew Jones ● 147d

Thanks for responding KyeAs a matter of interest , does your Charity have any patrons well known people who give you their support ?Also it seems that the only information anyone can find out abut you, is what you say about yourselves, and testimonials you've posted on your website.But is there no other third party information out thereabout you such as articles in newspapers or magazines ?michael adams

Michael Adams ● 148d

I can confirm we had cash collection teams at both of the stations mentioned on Monday.If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.RegardsKye Charlesworth (Fundraising Manager)Tel: 0800 3 101044 Mob: 07517 627611 Charity number: 1199584Website: www.theveteransassociation.orgEmail: kyecharlesworth@theveteransassociation.org

Jack Daniels ● 148d

I've seen two recently - one in Ealing outside M&S and one outside the Tower of London.  We were rushing but commented on them wondering what they were exactly because they weren't obviously any charity we recognised.

Philippa Bond ● 149d

Thanks, the video confirms what is widely said on the internet which is that one of the commonest charity scams is those claiming to help disabled servicemen and veterans.  My investigations into the Charity Commission website tell a story of a succession of charities being launched, removed and opened under new numbers or names. What is particularly concerning is to what vetting TFL is doing. If a charity is promoting inside a Tube station, then people are going to assume it has been checked properly.

Jackie Elton ● 149d

Saying all thatThey may be very legit, but ive not done any research

Julian Pavey ● 149d

Here you go, just after the intro.Now I see these at TGT inside the station this morning, two guys around 7 am, all set up, and I did look and think while getting the tube. As I looked, one asked me where he could buy a sandwich, which got me thinking again. Well, he's not local, that's for sure, then, was my thinking and then why TGT?Out of the way, quite in one way but busy in another, for the rush hour.It only got me wondering after this video. About 1 min in

Julian Pavey ● 149d

That gets me thinking about something I will dig up and post. It's short, but at the beginning. Give me a moment to find it

Julian Pavey ● 149d