The Not Forgotten at 100

The Not Forgotten turns 100 today! In honour of our centenary, our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal recorded a special message of support – watch her message to us below.

Marta Cunningham

Since Marta Cunningham founded the charity in 1920, we have endeavoured to remain true to her original principles. We combat isolation and loneliness amongst vulnerable members of the Armed Forces community, by providing entertainment and recreation through social activities and events.

In the charity’s first year, Marta and her friends entertained some 10,000 veterans. 100 years later, we are still supporting that number each year. You can read her account of the charity’s origins here.

Still going strong

The Not Forgotten may be 100 but we have continually adapted to meet the needs of our beneficiary base, including during the recent Coronavirus pandemic. We also could no’t achieve all we do without the support of other military charities and associations – both big and small – whose work we aim to complement, not duplicate.

18,000 charities were set up as a result of the First World War. Today, only 10 of them remain. The Not Forgotten is one of them and, whilst we’re still needed, we are not going anywhere.