Forces Reunited Stunned by Lloyds Bank Profiteering from a Forces Charity

Forces Reunited have found out through one of their members that Lloyds Bank have changed the status of the Hampshire Branch of ABF. The Soldiers Charity, from a charity to a small business, simply so they can charge them, now their donations exceed over £50,000 per annum.

Derek Cornwell Treasurer of Hampshire Branch of ABF. The Soldiers Charity said

“Being very proud of the 23 years I spent in the Army, I decided to give something back, so I volunteered to be the Treasurer of the Hampshire Branch of ABF. The Soldiers Charity.

We currently raise approximately £70k-£80k per year which is used to provide support to serving, ex serving and families of soldiers who are in need. Today, the conflicts may be different, but the pressures on our soldiers remain.

As we are all too aware from the news, the Army is bearing the strain of the current conflicts. Hundreds of soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq with many more injured both mentally and physically. And I am willing to do my bit to help them.

We Bank through the Lloyds Bank and I want to make you aware of their disgraceful profiteering attitude.

The Lloyds Bank have informed me (Despite our account with them being registered as a charity and using our registered charity number, ) that because of the generosity of the public, the turnover of our account is more than £50k they consider us not to be a charity but a small business and intend to charge us an average of £50 per month. So instead of all the donations being given to our brave soldiers in need, they will siphon off about £600 per year for their profits.

Although this is only small, it could be used to provide a WW2 veteran with a comfortable bed to sleep on or contribute towards adapting the layout of Trooper Stephen Shine mother's home in London.

He lost his left leg and badly injured the right when the tank he was driving in Iraq was hit by a roadside bomb and negotiating the layout of his mother's house both during his immediate recovery and when home on leave subsequently, was tough, tedious and exhausting. Despite the injuries, he's not short of grit: he's been determined to carry on with his career and has recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

I would love to challenge Lloyds Bank to decide whether Stephen should receive the kind support from the public instead of the bank receiving their profits. So please join me in condemning the Lloyds Bank's callous exploitation.”

Dominic Hayhoe, ex-serviceman, founder and CEO of Forces Reunited said

‘This is yet another case of the banks profiteering at the expense of everyone else, when are they going to learn to do the right thing?

Our injured servicemen and women need all the help they can get, I’m sure they will all be disgusted to learn £600 of the ABF’s donations now go in to the banks coffers.

Anyone wishing to have their say can join our campaign on Forces Reunited to get these charges rescinded.’