Veterans Enjoy Life In The Fast Lane At Brands Hatch Track Day.

It was a privilege to host injured ex-service personnel at our annual track day at Brands Hatch Circuit yesterday.

The group, including injured, wounded and sick veterans from numerous campaigns spent a high-octane day experiencing the thrill of being driven around the iconic track by professionals in a range of sensational, high-performance road and racing cars.

The adrenaline-filled day finished with veterans gathering at the Mercure Brands Hatch Hotel for a dinner where guests mingled to swap stories about their exhilarating experiences, and performances from the very special Annie Riley. One veteran who attended told us “Don’t give me drugs. Don’t give me therapy. I don’t want white coats. Give me something like this day, it’s cleansed me.” whilst another told us that their day was “Stupendous. Terrifyingly brilliant, amazing, a privilege, awesome, unforgettable and once in a life time.”

Yesterday was a special day for us at The Not Forgotten, as it marked the first event day attended by our new Chief Executive, Richard Walker. We announced Richards appointment a while back now, and as we edge closer to his official start date, it was exciting to see him yesterday.

Having survived his first event with The Not Forgotten, Richard took some time to let the atmosphere from the days activities sink in before could reflect on what was a fantastic day:

“Yesterday was my first experience of an event run by The Not Forgotten to host a brilliant group of beneficiaries, and fellow charities (including Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, Blind Veterans UK & Mission Motorsport) at Brands Hatch. This was a track day like few others which I have attended, with an eye watering collection of cars from manufacturers including McLaren Porsche Scuderia Ferrari Ford GT40 Lamborghini Ariel ATOM Aston Martin.

I want to thank the drivers, sponsors and volunteers as well as the office team for making this happen and making such a difference.

The quotes from some of the beneficiaries about how the day impacted and lifted them brings tears to my eyes. Adrenaline and camaraderie are sometimes hard to find; but not with The Not Forgotten and certainly not when on a race track.”