Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund made a significant grant of £300,000 in 2008 to the Homes from Home project to help families of injured service personnel stay near their loved ones who are recovering in hospital.
SSAFA Forces Help’s “Homes from Home” project has meant that the families of injured service personnel have the chance to stay close to their loved ones while they are in hospital. The £5 million project has provided two homes, one at Defence Rehabilitation Centre in Headley Court, Surrey, the other at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Selly Oak in Birmingham.
The first of these homes, SSAFA Norton House near Headley Court, was opened in April 2008 and can accommodate up to six families. The property is named in recognition of Captain Peter Norton GC and his wife Sue, whose experiences were the inspiration for the project.
The house has already made a difference to the lives of many families. Marine Mark Ormrod (see picture above) lost both legs and an arm when he stepped on a mine during a routine patrol in Afghanistan. His family were the first to use the house. “The house is really a great place. It allowed us to have some quiet time on our own but also to meet and speak with others in a similar situation. It can be such a huge help at a very difficult time. The staff at the house are amazing and do a wonderful job,” commented fiancée Becky.
Selly Oak is often the first place seriously injured service personnel are taken to when they return to the UK for treatment. This makes a home here vital as families are reunited with loved ones in traumatic circumstances. It is hoped that this new home will open by the end of the year.
Clive de Rougemont, Chairman of Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund commented: “We were delighted to show our support for the Homes for Home project by the £300,000 grant as families play an important part in helping the recovery of injured personnel while they are in hospital. This significant grant demonstrates Lloyd's Patriotic Fund's continual commitment to the families of service men and women.”
