The ABF was honoured to be represented at the national Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey which marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day by six of our beneficiary ambassadors – Mark Harding, Vicky McLennan, John Cutting, Lee Harris-Hamer with his sister, Kirsty, a serving soldier and Bob and Sallie Semple.
Joining them at the event on 8th May 2025 to pay tribute to the Second World War generation were our guests, former soldiers and contestants of BBC1’s The Traitors, Harry Clark and Jonny Holloway. Also attending the Service were the charity’s President, General Sir James Everard, former ABF trustee and Army Sergeant Major, Paul Carney; broadcaster, news presenter and longtime ABF supporter, Simon McCoy; and stunt performer & TV presenter, Andy Torbet, who previously served in the Royal Engineers for ten years.
Harry Clark served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) for almost seven years, leaving the Army after winning Season 2 of BBC1’s The Traitors in 2024. Since then, Harry has made numerous TV appearances, most recently appearing on BBC1’s Pilgrimage.
Harry Clark said “I am honoured to have attended the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey with the Army Benevolent Fund to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It’s a privilege to share this moment with the ABF’s ambassadors, an amazing group of veterans, who have been through so much.
Together we paid tribute to all those who served in World War II and especially those who died. So many were around my age when they went into action, and for my generation, it’s hard to imagine what they experienced but it’s so important that we remember.”
Lance Corporal, Jonny Holloway who also appeared in Season 2 of The Traitors, joined the Army at 17, and served for eight years in The Royal Lancers. Jonny was injured by an IED in 2013 on patrol in Afghanistan, and as a result, his leg was amputated. Jonny wants to share his story to support veterans and amputees.
ABF and RBLI volunteer and ambassador, Vicky said: “I think it’s very important for everyone to support VE Day. It’s a time to reflect on the sacrifice others made for our freedom today, both during the Second World War and all the conflicts since then. The commemorations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day were a great chance for veterans and other communities to get together and to say thank you.”