Congratulations to long-standing ABF supporter, James Dean, on being awarded this year’s Montgomery Bowl for his exceptional fundraising for, and dedication to, the Army Benevolent Fund.
The Montgomery Bowl is our highest accolade and named after Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, who played a central role in our charity’s establishment in 1944.
James has been a committed supporter of the ABF since 2019, when he organised a bespoke music festival in aid of our charity. The event was a resounding success, raising over £20,000. While plans to make the festival annual were interrupted by the pandemic, James has continued to champion our cause with remarkable passion and creativity.
Through offering access to his two annual music festivals, providing raffle prizes, and engaging thousands of festival-goers with our work, James has helped raise more than £70,000 for the ABF. His festivals, now in their sixth year, have expanded to cover East Anglia and the West Midlands, raising awareness of the ABF among an estimated 80,000 people.
In addition to running events across the country, James has also taken on personal fundraising challenges this year. These include the Midlands Skydive and a gym climbing challenge, when he scaled the equivalent of the combined heights of the Burj Khalifa, Eiffel Tower, and Blackpool Tower in a single session.
We were delighted to present James with his trophy at the Back 2 Festival on 9 August 2025, and we are deeply grateful for his tireless efforts in support of soldiers, veterans, and their families.