Barratt Homes is supporting the Royal British Legion Industries’ (RBLI) Tommy Club and has installed full-sized Women in War figures throughout its Somerset, Devon and Cornwall developments to mark Armed Forces Day (Saturday 25 June).
The ‘Women in War’ campaign aims to highlight the efforts of women – both in military and civilian occupations – during times of conflict. The campaign sees injured veterans working in RBLI’s social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, based in Aylesford, Kent, producing life-size figures of a saluting servicewoman.
One of the female figures was unveiled by Ross Pearson, the site manager at Elworthy Place in Wiveliscombe, who was a member of the Royal Marines before he started working for Barratt Homes. He said: “I’m proud that Barratt Homes has supported this campaign. The support and guidance I received when transferring from the armed forces to civilian life with Barratt Homes was invaluable.”
Ross, who was recently recognised as one of the top site managers in the country, winning a National Housebuilding Council Pride in the Job award, added: “My time in the armed forces set me up well for a career in the construction industry. There are many transferable skills between the two: leadership, organisation, problem solving, teamwork and discipline are all essential qualities that I rely on to ensure I do my job to the best of my ability and the high standards that I set for myself and my team. I’m delighted with the progress that I have made during my career with Barratt Homes so far.”
The figures have been made available for the public to purchase via the charity’s online shop. Every penny raised through their sale goes directly to support RBLI’s welfare, accommodation and employment services for military veterans and their families.
Lisa Farmer, RBLI’s Chief Executive, said: “We are immensely proud to have joined forces once again with Barratt Developments – this time to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of women to the British Armed Forces. Not only will the funds raised through the production of these wonderful figures directly support our wide range of services, but they have also provided direct, meaningful employment to injured veterans in our factory. This is just the latest in a series of unwavering commitments by Barratt Developments to do all they can to support our nation’s heroes through RBLI. We cannot thank them enough for their support.”
More than 100,000 joined the women’s branches of Britain’s military services during the First World War. After the war ended in 1918, women were overlooked and, within three years, all women’s branches were disbanded. It wasn’t until 1948 that the Women’s Service Act was passed, allowing for permanent peacetime roles for women in Britain’s armed services.
David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments, added: “The RBLI’s Tommy Club is a great way for people to support our Armed Forces Veterans. Last year we installed over 300 Tommy figures in our show home gardens, and this year we are doing the same with these new Women in War figures which represent the remarkable effort women have made in every war, and we celebrate their achievements. We are proud to have installed these figures in our show homes in time for Armed Forces Day on 25 June.”
Nicki Reid, sales director at Barratt Homes Exeter, concluded: “We are proud to support the Tommy Club by erecting figures at our developments. Not only will the funding help to support the fantastic work the RBLI is doing, but the figures will also encourage our employees and residents to take a moment of reflection for those who served for our freedom.”
For more information about the RBLI, visit https://rbli.co.uk/.
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