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Back in December 2024 we were very fortunate to secure a Veterans Foundation grant for the building of our memorial. We have, of course been providing them with updates along the way and I am truly honoured to have been chosen for an interview and for that interview to have been released throughout the media. The interview highlights the reasons behind the mission to build the UK’s first memorial to veteran suicide. The original mission has now been widened to include all a

We are very sad to see that Papyrus, a charity that has been helping young people with suicide prevention has gone into administration. Papyrus has been running for nearly 30 years and in that time helped hundreds of young people through their HOPELINE24/7 and support. The closure highlights what many charities are facing in this financial climate and that is lack of funding. Despite Papyrus being on the receiving end of NHS referrals there is no government funding for sma

Suicide is still too often met with silence, stigma, or shame. Silence should never be the response to someone’s pain. With one conversation, asking someone how they’re really doing — and being ready to truly listen — can save lives. Because here’s what we know: No one has to face this alone. Help exists. Healing is possible. And all it can take is for one person to start a conversation. A recent conversation with a friend highlighted this. They had been struggling for some t

Wheels for Wishes is basically a group of bikers with big hearts. We organise rides for children and families going through some of the hardest times imaginable. Sometimes we’re raising money, sometimes we’re helping make memories, and sometimes we just turn up in numbers to show a family they’re not alone because while we can’t fix what they’re going through, we can give them a day where they feel incredibly special. That’s why we ride. Riding for Dreams, Revving for Hope. W

I am extremely honoured to be a finalist in two categories this year for the English Veterans Awards. The timing of this year’s awards could not be better for the Lifetime Achievement award I have been nominated for as it comes just after the opening of the Elysium Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in September. This has been my mission for 5 years now and to have it completed and the work recognised by the Veterans Awards is such an achievement. The charity’s co

We are excited to be able to offer patches for our many biker followers. Add a patch to your cut and show your support wherever you go. They are 90mm and £9.50 (including p&p) They will be available in the next few weeks so please get your pre-order in through the website merchandise page and as soon as they arrive we will get in touch. Help us spread the word of our memorial, start a conversation and show your support as we remember those veterans and serving personnel who h

I have been extremely lucky over the last few months to have been invited to talk to Gemma Gardner of the Auris Institute and Frankie’s Pod. Frankie’s Pod was a lovely opportunity to talk about life in the military, both regular and reserves, civilian hardships and the force behind starting the Elysium Memorial Foundation. Frankie’s Pod is a relaxed chat, no agenda, no talking points, just a sit down and tell your story. Gemma had a more structured interview style and the Au

With only 13,000 of Scotland's 172,000 veterans currently recorded as veterans on their GP records, it is clear many former members of the Armed Forces may be missing opportunities to access the support and services available to them. As part of a wider project aimed at improving GP sign-up to the Veterans Recognition Scheme, Veterans Scotland is launching our 'Say You Served' social media campaign, on Sunday 9 August, with the aim of encouraging veterans across Scotland to

We’re delighted to add dog tag key rings and necklaces to our Weary Hero merchandise collection. Each tag features our logo on the front, with space on the back for four lines of up to 15 characters each—ideal for a loved one’s name and service number. Our polo shirts and T-shirts come in a wide range of colours, and our baseball caps help keep the ever-present sun out of your eyes. Browse our merchandise to see how you can support us and help spread awareness. https://www

5 years of hard work is coming to a conclusion. The charity will still continue to provide support to veterans and Armed Forces personnel but this objective is almost complete. Whilst it is a day of reflection and remembrance it is also a day of recognition for those that have lost someone to suicide. At last there is somewhere that acknowledges those who lost their battles to mental health. We would love to see all those who have supported us over the years. There will b

With the summer holidays coming up and plans being made for trips and events please have a look at easyfundraising.org.uk. This platform is a simple way to raise funds for Elysium Memorial Foundation. It is free to join and no extra charge to you for shopping at any of the 8,000 retailers. To make it even easier if you link your card to your account you can donate in store as well as online. The range of shops supporting Easyfundraising is astronomical including Tui, booki

I had the pleasure of meeting Joanne Edwards today who with Matt Wildgoose has created a place where families under pressure can breathe again. Located in Okehampton, Coombe Head Farm provides a place where you feel you can fit in. It is not a retreat in the traditional sense, nor a programme with a fixed agenda. It is somewhere that you can relax and recharge. There is plenty to do and views that have you reaching for your camera. Jo and Matt have created a place where yo

Men’s Mental Health Week highlights the health issues that affect men, encourages greater awareness of potential concerns, and signposts ways to seek support. Running from 15th to 21st June, this year’s theme focuses on small, manageable actions that can lead to lasting change. By reducing the stigma around men’s health, we can help empower men to take responsibility for their wellbeing and ask for help when they need it. Many men find it difficult to ask for help and this

On Friday 16th June, Leyburn marketplace filled with bikers and veterans. The Black Swan pub kindly served as the meeting point, and after a piper’s send-off, the convoy set out for the National Memorial Arboretum. The weather and traffic caused a few delays, and we are deeply grateful to our Guard of Honour for enduring the rain on the motorway. Arriving at the NMA was a welcome milestone and brought us one step closer to completing our mission. We were also encouraged to se

thanks to A.D. Calvert Stone for their amazing work A great article showcasing the excellent work carried out by A.D. Calvert Architectural Stone Supplies Ltd on our memorial. to read the full article - click here Our memorial starts its journey to the National Memorial Arboretum on 12th June at 10am from Leyburn and will be escorted by a Guard of Honour of motorbikes. We are excited for this to be in it's final stages and that it will soon be in place giving people somewhe

Thank you so much to everyone who has already shown interest in joining us for the delivery of the stonework from Leyburn, North Yorkshire to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire—your support means a lot. 🙏💙 If you’d like to join us—whether you’re coming on a bike or along the route—we’ll be leaving Calvert’s Stone Yard in Leyburn at 10:00am on Friday 12th June. Where to meet (if you’re coming to the start) • Please meet at The Black Swan in Leyburn Market Place

We are so excited to announce that the stones for the memorial will be making their way to the National Memorial Arboretum on the 12th June 2026. With the construction team breaking ground on the 1st June and the stones travelling on the 12th we are finally nearing the end of this epic journey. We have been blown away by the response from riders for our Guard of Honour to accompany the stones and if you are interested in joining the Guard of Honour or want to wave us on plea

If you’re at the Army vs. Navy game this weekend, Edward Mackenzie—the founder of the Elysium Memorial Foundation—will be there as well. Please look out for him in the red hoodie. If you spot him, come say hello! 👋 #armyvsnavy #twickenham #ElysiumMemorialFoundation #veterans #rugby

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our latest venture, a charity raffle, giving everyone the chance to win fantastic prizes while supporting a great cause. All proceeds from the raffle will go towards our ongoing mission of veteran to veteran support. Help us to continue to provide support for veterans and their mental health. Go to our website and join our raffle for a chance to win fantastic prizes. Good luck! https://www.elysiummemorial.co.uk/raffle #charity #donati

Following on from being awarded the Armed Forces Covenant we have now secured our place in the Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. We are thrilled to be included in this scheme and it shows our continued dedication to supporting the Armed Forces community. As we move forward with our memorial we look to the ongoing mission of Elysium Memorial Foundation in supporting veterans who may need a bit of help when they are at their lowest. We are connecting with other charities