Talking with the Wounded Q&A

October 2, 2024 | Events | 3 minute read

A special event is taking place on Friday 18th October 2024 at Holkham, by kind permission of the Earl of Leicester. The Army Benevolent Fund’s Norfolk Committee invite you to an evening of ‘Talking with the Wounded’, including both a drinks reception and a presentation with four wounded army veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. This will be hosted by Ben Stephens, a former Captain in the Grenadier Guards and a Northern Ireland veteran. He is the host and producer of the podcast “Talking with the Wounded”. On the podcast veterans talk about when the unforgettable happens, what happened next, and who helped them along the way.

Colonel Tim Allen OBE, a member of the Norfolk Committee of the Army Benevolent Fund, answered our questions ahead of the event.

Can you tell us more about the ABF and the work they do?

The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army’s national charity, which has been at the forefront of supporting soldiers, veterans and their families since 1944.  The ABF awards grants to individuals and families, and also fund leading charities and organisations to ensure that help is there when it is most needed.  In financial year 23/24, we helped 75,000 people in 51 countries worldwide, and funded 86 other charities and organisations that deliver frontline services.

What can people expect from the Talking with the Wounded event?

The genesis of the event was when Ben Stephens, a former captain in the Grenadier Guards, took part in an expedition with five veterans in the Canadian wilderness, canoeing 750 km in 5 days down the Yukon River.  Ben was inspired by the stories of their personal journeys, which he then turned into the Talking With The Wounded podcast.

Amongst the wonderful surrounding of Holkham Hall, the evening will start with a drinks reception in the Marble Hall, followed by a chance to hear four veterans recount their moving, inspiring and often humorous experiences.  After the presentation, our guests will have the opportunity to meet and chat with the veterans.

What inspired you to get involved with Army Benevolent Fund?

At the risk of sounding like a cliché, I wanted to be able to put something back into the Army community that had looked after me and my family throughout a 36-year career.  The Army Benevolent Fund makes a real difference to soldiers, veterans and families most in need, and it’s reassuring to know that they are there.

Why Holkham?

It is a real privilege for the Norfolk Committee of the Army Benevolent Fund to be able to hold our charity event at Holkham Hall and we are very grateful to The Earl of Leicester for allowing us to do so.  We hope that the combination of an evening of inspiring and thought-provoking stories from veterans, set in the wonderful surroundings of Holkham Hall, will encourage as many people as possible to support the Army Benevolent Fund.

You can find out more about the event and book your tickets on the Army Benevolent Fund’s website.

Follow the Army Benevolent Fund on Facebook here or Instagram here.