Guest veterans join the Chelsea Pensioners for a summer picnic in Ranelagh Gardens

Yesterday, we welcomed over 100 guests from the Armed Forces community to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for our Chelsea Pensioners Veterans’ Outreach picnic. 

Throughout the day, guests were treated to special performances from the Chelsea Pensioners singing group, a solo song from Chelsea Pensioner, Colin Thackery, and an incredible pace sticking preview from Chelsea Pensioners Colin, Pat and David, before enjoying a selection of refreshments. 

The event, now in its second year, has quickly become a summer highlight at the Royal Hospital. It offers the opportunity for veterans from all three Armed Forces to come together and enjoy a day of socialising and sense of community within our spectacular grounds. 

The day is part of our Chelsea Pensioners Veterans Outreach programme which aims to support veterans who may be feeling lonely or socially isolated. At the Royal Hospital Chelsea, we understand the unique challenges veterans face, and events like this provide a wonderful opportunity to extend companionship beyond our gates and allow veterans to connect with others who have a shared military background. 

We would like to thank the service charities, our delivery partners and organisations who attended and helped make the day so special including SSAFA, BLESMA, Department of Work and Pensions, Samaritans, Fighting with Pride, The Fighting Chance, Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion, The Poppy Factory, Blind Veterans, Age UK, Luther Blisset's Veterans Together, Stoll, Veterans on Stage, Therapy Dogs Nationwide and Schneider Electric. 

Take a look at some more moments captured during the day...