Essex Charity team attend Army Benevolent Fund annual curry lunch
Members of the Essex Provincial Charity Team attend Merville Garrison, Colchester to celebrate the work of the Army Benevolent Fund
The unmistakable aroma of curry and the sound of camaraderie filled the Officers’ Mess at Merville Barracks, Colchester, as supporters gathered for the Army Benevolent Fund’s Annual Curry Lunch on Sunday 26th October 2025.
Hosted by kind permission of the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team and Colchester Garrison, the event brought together guests from across Essex to celebrate and support the vital work of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) – the Army’s National Charity.
Among the attendees were members of the Essex Freemasons Provincial Charity Team, who have long supported the charity’s efforts to provide a lifetime of assistance to soldiers, veterans, and their families.
Supporting the Army Family
The lunch, which included welcome drinks and a traditional curry served in the Mess, featured Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin, Garrison Commander, as the guest speaker who highlighted the impact of local support, sharing stories of how community partnerships make a tangible difference to service families across East Anglia.
One of the projects he spoke about was ‘Operation Camouflage’, a three-week summer camp held annually in Woodbridge. The initiative brings together service children and local underprivileged young people for an unforgettable experience of outdoor activities, team building, and confidence development. The programme was made possible through funding from Essex Freemasons, helping to ensure no child is left behind.
Changing Lives Through Compassion
Guests also heard from Simon Ferrier of the Army Benevolent Fund, who shared the moving story of one of their beneficiaries a veteran who received a service dog to support her recovery from PTSD. The assistance dog was provided through the Chelmsford PTSD Dogs Hub, a project also launched with financial support from Essex Freemasons.
These specially trained dogs provide comfort, structure, and reassurance to veterans and blue-light personnel living with post-traumatic stress disorder. Thanks to local donations, the Chelmsford hub is now fully operational and changing lives in the heart of Essex.
A Shared Commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant
The Army Benevolent Fund was founded in 1944, as the Second World War drew to a close, to ensure that soldiers and their families would never face hardship alone. Today, it continues to provide help for life, last year assisting over 80,000 soldiers, veterans, and family members in 52 countries, with ages ranging from three days old to 105 years old.
Across East Anglia alone, 218 cases were supported, with more than £150,000 in grants distributed to individuals and partner charities.
For Essex Freemasons, supporting the ABF and initiatives like Operation Camouflage and PTSD Dogs is part of our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, signed at the 2022 Provincial Meeting. Since then, Essex Freemasons have proudly donated over £100,000 to Armed Forces charities, reinforcing our pledge to support those who serve and their families.
Chris Hicks, Essex Provincial Grand Charity Steward said, “The ABF’s commitment to lifelong support mirrors our own values of care, service, and community. From children’s camps to PTSD support dogs, these projects are transforming lives, and we’re honoured to play our part as part of the Armed Forces Covenant.”
Find out what the Armed Forces Covenant means by clicking this link: https://www.essexfreemasons.org.uk/news/ra/the-armed-forces-covenant
Photos:
Top: Members of the Charity Team attending the lunch
Below: The horse statue at Merville Barracks is a bronze sculpture entitled The Slayer of Belleros, which depicts the winged horse Pegasus with the warrior Bellerophon on its back. The statue stands outside the headquarters of 16 Air Assault Brigade and is a defining symbol of the British Army's Airborne Forces.
