Tim Greenfield reports…
A CHARITY which provides homeless military veterans with boats to live on is appealing for aid so it can expand its operations and help even more ex-service personnel.
The Forces Veterans Afloat Charitable Trust, which takes former military personnel off the streets and provides them with a floating home, has been a soaring success since it started three years ago.
Founder Andy Flint said the charity has helped four ex-servicepeople find a new home on the water, adding that he would be happy to step back if an organisation came forward to take the project to the next level.
There are estimated to be more than 2000 homeless military veterans in the UK and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to guarantee them all a home.
Mr Flint said: “If somebody came forward and said, ‘we love what you do, and we can help’ I would be more than happy to step back if they could make things better. I hope there is somebody out there with a lot more money who can see benefit in what we do.”
The charity has run nine donated boats over the last two years. The team renovates the boats, ensuring they are liveable and then, working with the Royal British Legion and other charities, matches them with a suitable veteran.
The veterans can stay on the boats for up to 18 months, with the aim that in that time they eventually find a suitable permanent home. When they have moved back on to land, the charity then offers the boat to someone else.
“It is a stop-gap to get them off the streets,” said Andy. “We have a boat that they use for a month to see how they get on, because living on a boat isn’t for everyone.”
Once the month is up, assuming it has gone well, the veteran moves into one of the fleet’s nine boats and is free to cruise the waterways. They are supported by veterans’ charities and receive help with moorings and other costs.
Mr Flint came up with the idea after seeing a social media post about who was allowed to recover a sunken vessel. He suggested, instead of someone making money from salvaged boats, they donate them as homes for people to live on.
“By the third day I was offered a 40ft boat. We had so many questions but so many people offered their time and assistance. The help we have received has been amazing.”
They now have a network of people who help with the practicalities such as moving the boats and fitting them out. At the start, Andy was contacted by Lizzie Lane, an ex-servicewoman who became co-founder.
Some vessels donated are ready to go, while others need a lot of work. The charity has a variety of vessels, from canal boats to cruisers. “People donate them because their engines have gone or they have fallen on hard times – there are a variety of reasons.”
The charity, which is based at Sawley Marina on the River Trent, currently has five boats awaiting fitting out before they can be offered to veterans. The canal boat Daisy is used to house veterans for the first month.
Mr Flint believes the Canal & River Trust (CRT) could help by potentially giving seized vessels to the charity. He said at present it either sells or destroys boats which are unlicensed or abandoned.
A CRT spokesman said: “We would be happy to have a conversation with the Forces Veterans Afloat Charitable Trust. We’re committed to supporting those who serve, or have served, and have formally signed the Armed Forces Covenant. Our Armed Forces Inclusion Circle includes veterans, reservists, forces families and allies.”
Mr Flint works for Reckitt, the company that makes Strepsils, and lives aboard his own boat, Shotokam, at Sawley. He said initially the charity had donations totalling £6400 on its Gofundme page and had support from boating companies, but it needs more help.
“We rely on people power to get boats restored. If you would like to get involved but don’t want to be hands-on, a donation towards licensing, insurance and so on would be appreciated.”
If you can help Forces Veterans Afloat Charitable Trust please follow the link: www.forcesvetsafloat.co.uk
