Breakfast Club For Veterans Pioneer Acknowledged By PM

Dereck Hardman was presented with a certificate in acknowledgement for winning a ‘Points of Light Award’.

The incentive which originated in the USA recognises volunteers within the community. Launched in 2014 in the UK, the scheme sees the Prime Minister make an award each working day.

The award is given to a member of the public who they see as an inspirational volunteer.

Mr Hardman won the accolade for the Breakfast Club he set up that has brought together over 27,000 veterans the world over. He also has an active club which runs in Beverley.

At the club meeting in the Angel Pub, Mr Hardman was presented his award by local MP Graham Stuart.

Commenting on his award Mr Hardman said;

“Receiving a Points of Light award is a huge honour. I am immensely proud to be recognised in this way by the Prime Minister.”

“The Points of Light award means so much to me because it helps to highlight the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs.”

“It also helps highlight the important work they do offering an opportunity for vets to stay connected to their military family.”

“Most veterans feel they are ‘conditioned’ for service during their basic training when they are still ‘impressionable’. Most also join straight from school and so are fundamentally changed for the rest of their lives.”

“When they leave, most don’t ‘return’ to civilian life, they enter civilian life for the first time. Many say, that when they walk out of the gate for the last time, they feel abandoned.”

Breakfast Club For Former Members Of The Armed Forces Provides Safe Place

Mr Hardman’s club aims to help former members of the armed services who are abandoned by the system. His club helps them putting them back in an environment they know.

The Breakfast Club also set up to resemble the atmosphere that former personnel feel the experience in the mess halls and NAAFI.

Military charities say they are coming under increasing pressure to provide mental health support. The government currently spends around £22M to help former military personnel who are suffering from mental illness.

Concerns have also been raised with the number of those who served who are taking their own lives. The MOD does not keep records but others do and last year 58 took their own lives.

It is projects like the one Mr Hardman is involved with that is helping deal with the issues. Speaking about getting an award he said;

“I am particularly proud that this movement was started here in Hull, and I am humbled to think that the Prime Minister has taken time to look into the work of the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs.”

“I hope my award inspires other veterans to come forward and set up Breakfast Clubs in their towns.”