A royal honour for the ABF's 60th anniversary

HM The Queen and HRH the Princess Royal honour the ABF

On 28 October 2004, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended a service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the ABF. As she arrived at the Abbey, the Princess was greeted by a parade of the Colours and Guidons of the British Army - an historic gathering that has not been seen in the UK for ten years.

Read the address given by The Very Revd Dr Wesley Carr Dean of Westminster.

The service, which acknowledged the vital role played by the charity since 1944 in supporting soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of real need, was attended by staff, beneficiaries and supporters of the Fund as well as serving soldiers. It included a testimony from Mrs Sara Jones, widow of Falklands hero Lt Col H Jones VC (read Mrs Sara Jones' address) and a reading from George MacDonald Fraser OBE, the best-selling author of the Flashman series of books. The service was fittingly concluded with the Princess laying a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

"During times of conflict, the welfare of soldiers and their families is at the forefront of our minds. But we must not forget that there are members of the Army family in need at all times and for many reasons. Every year the Fund disperses over £4million to members of that Army family. But its work is far from over. Although those for whom the Fund was originally set up are growing older, there are still some 200,000 war widows and pensioners eligible for help as well as two generations of soldiers and their dependents who have served, or who are currently serving in countries all over the world. That need is not likely to diminish."

The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson KCB CBE DSO ADC, after the service

Later that day, Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the charity, hosted a private reception at St James's Palace for ABF staff, supporters and beneficiaries.

The reception also marked the launch of the ABF's new Rose Fund - a permanent testament established so that family and friends can pay tribute to lost loved ones and make donations to the ABF in their name. The ABF Rose Funds have a dedicated Rose Garden for reflection and remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire as well as a memorial book, where the Rose Funds are to be listed in the Millennium Chapel. The launch of the Rose Fund was also marked during the reception when Her Majesty The Queen was presented with a bouquet of ABF Roses by 12 year old Shane Hartop, a soldier's son and one of the Fund's beneficiaries.

Shane is the son of Mrs Sharon Hartop and Bombardier Dean Hartop of the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery. He suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy that severely restricts his mobility.

"Without the ABF's help Shane would not be living the life of a normal young boy now. The charity provided us with a grant towards the cost of an electronically powered wheelchair for Shane that was well beyond our reach financially. Before this vehicle he was unable to go anywhere on his own. Now, two years on, both Shane, my wife and I have all the freedom we need. Shane is even able to attend boarding school that he loves - it gives him the independence he never thought he would have. Shane was delighted to be invited to such a prestigious occasion and we thank everyone at the ABF for everything they have done for our family."

Bombardier Dean Hartop