The Army Benevolent Fund (Cyprus)

The ABF Kolossi 10K run and walk was held on a bright but chilly morning mid February, at the Castle of the Knights Templar in Kolossi, with over 250 runners and walkers supporting the charity. The turnout was the best for many years, and dry as well. Some readers may recall wet and sodden days in past years with wet 'T' shirts and soggy trainers however not this year and all went well.

Participants came from across the Island and indeed from many Countries - even a team from The U.S. Marine Corps based at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia.

Not to be out done, the RSM of 2 Yorks and members of the resident Battalion entered and left with a few medals and trophies.

This years route was another new route set by Bob Bensley and Peter Hogg, ably assisted by members of the Episkopi Hash House Harriers who also marshalled and encouraged all participants on the tarmac, rough tracks and footpaths to the finishing line.

ABF, the Soldiers Charity is indebted to CESSAC for sponsoring this event and to everyone who gave up their time and effort to make it the success it was.

The All-Island Christmas Cake Competition was held in the Snug canteen in Episkopi Garrison on 3rd December 2011.

Entries were accepted from civilian chefs working in kitchens and messes, junior military and senior military chefs, and from service schools across the island. The entries were amazing in their Christmas themed designs and the competition was very hard to judge. The judging teams included AVM Stacey and his wife, and the Episkopi Garrison Commander Lt Col & Mrs Bob Pickford, all under the expert guidance of Major David Norris and other experienced catering staff. The winning entry showed Santa in a hot tub with incredible details such as towels on a rack with logos, and an elf handing him a bottle of Keo beer!
The CBF congratulated all competitors on their expertise and imagination and thanked them for taking part. He also thanked

Sergeant 'JJ' Kingsbury from Bloodhound Camp who organised the entire event.
The ABF presented a perpetual trophy to the winner and Sodexo presented magnificent hampers to the runners up in each category. The cakes were then sold to the lucky public for €20 each except for the winning entry which was auctioned by Major Norris and bought for €100 by the Director of Sodexo Cyprus.

This spectacular and innovative event raised €465 as a welcome donation to ABF The Soldiers' Charity, for which we are very grateful.

THE SANTA RUN AT EPISKOPI Saturday 17th December
young and old, who took part or helped in any way to round off the 2011 fund-raising for The Soldiers' Charity

Happy Valley was looking at its very best in the glorious sunshine on Saturday 17th December when 300 Santas of all shapes, sizes, and ages, took part in the annual Cyprus Youth Service's Santa Run. The entry fee included a free Santa suit plus plenty of water and bananas for the competitors taking part in the 1km Fun Fun or the 5km race to raise funds for ABF The Soldiers' Charity. Some runners took part in both events despite the heat generated by the full suits and beards designed for cooler climes!

One hundred men of A Company 2 Yorks dragged a large sleigh around the flat course, and several families were pulling little mini-Santas enjoying the ride in trolleys and carts decorated accordingly.

The recording and issuing of race numbers and getting the right size suits for so many competitors was incredibly well-organised and full marks to Phil the Youth Coordinator and his busy team of young volunteers who set it all up.

Cessac was there with a burger stall and jolly Christmassy music over the tannoys added to the fun which made the day such a success. A handful of volunteers from the Episkopi and the Happy Valley Hashes helped out as marshalls but the good humour all round and the fun of watching the 300 Santas running and jingling is what really made the day.

The amount raised as a donation to the charity will be known by mid January. Our thanks to all. y

The band of the Army Air Corps performed with great precision and style at the Pissouri open-air theatre last Saturday evening in support of the ABF the soldiers charity.

As a large audience settled down and relaxed with their cool-boxes in the warmth of a beautiful autumn evening, the musicians in their immaculate white tunics played a wide selection of popular marches and classical music with a few theme tunes from the more well known movies. The Director of Music Captain Justin Matthews, looking resplendent in his well starched uniform had chosen the right balance of music to show the versatility of the band, and with the able support of the Band-Master, WO1 Peter Bede they deserved the tremendous applause from the delighted audience who appreciated a magnificent performance.

Prior to the second half commencing, Bob Bensley from Pissouri held an auction for a bottle of malt whisky labelled and boxed for the 'Black Watch' to raise much needed funds for the ABF, after some fierce bidding the bottle was sold for €115 and is destined to become a Christmas present to an old soldier.

The ABF has a mission that proudly promises to look after soldiers and their families for life, so Saturday nights contribution was well received and helps towards the several million pounds needed each year by our charity.

For those that missed this concert the Army Air Corps will be playing once again for the ABF on 12th November at the Markedeion Theatre, Paphos commencing at 7.30pm.

In aid of The Army Benevolent Fund and the on-Island charity 'Cans for Kids', between the 2nd and 10th September most of

were involved in a representative race from the New York UN HQ to the Nicosia UN HQ,

a distance of some 9,242 miles, all done either in the Gym on rowing, cycling, and walking/running machines

- or as young Mark Hart did, on the Green Line. machines, or as young Mark Hart did on

In a quite outstanding feat of physical endurance, on Friday 9th September 2011,

Lt Hart completed the 220 Km challenge of running the complete length of the Buffer Zone

The Band of the King's Division arrived in Cyprus just as the temperatures increased. They were committed to a full programme of band and concert performances from Pafos, to Dhekelia and Pissouri, then back to Nicosia and more at Pissouri, not to mention their official engagements in all the Messes and Parades, the Queen's Birthday Celebrations and Flagstaff House Ceremonies, the British High Commissioner's Annual Reception, UN Medal Parades and the Episkopi Garrison Flag-Raising for Armed Forces Week. A very busy month for a very special band and the ABF has much to thank them for. Whilst playing at our charity events they helped to raise over €13,000 for The Soldiers' Charity and we enjoyed every minute of it, and we like to think that they did too.
Our thanks go to The Director of Music, Captain James Marshall B Mus (Hons) and the Bandmaster, Warrant Officer Class One Craig Bywater B Mus (Hons), and every member of a very special band.

Band Concert Pissouri 24th June 2011

At the end of their final concert, Nick Smith presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Kerry Mills and all the members of Island Blend in recognition of the splendid way they have supported the ABF over the years, and for their wonderfully varied performance on the night. We look forward to many more concerts featuring their unique style and team-work.


A glittering performance from Island Blend	Nick Smith presents Kerry and Island Blend with an ABF certificate

Sunset over Ampelohori plateau	Brian Nicole and Bandswoman Devon draw the raffle

Armed Forces Day Monday 20th June 2011

The Garrison Commander kindly permitted all veterans to enter the base and join in with the troops and families attending the flag-raising ceremony in Dodge to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. The weather was perfect and hundreds turned out to enjoy the music, the food and the drinks too!
The new sign for the popular ABF second-hand bookshop 'BookendS' was ready just on time but not quite in position.

They were true to their motto: "They love to sing".

The London Welsh Male Voice Choir, in their glorious scarlet livery, captivated their audience as they sang in support of The Soldiers' Charity - the Army Benevolent Fund.

On Wed 1st June, in the inspiring setting of Pissouri Ampitheatre, their voices filled the air with joy and gusto.
With their Director of Music, Edward-Rhys Harry, they performed a popular selection of hymns, operatic and choral favourites.

The concert was enhanced by the performance of soloists: Judith Evans, Graham Ormiston, Louise Vreony, David Williams, and the superb violinist Matthew Jones. Berwyn Evans acted as an excellent compere and his humour was hugely enjoyed by the audience.

The concert concluded with a robust and rousing rendition of the Welsh National Anthem, As the sun slowly set, you could easily be fooled by the music and atmosphere that you were indeed in the green valleys of Wales.

Nick Smith, ABF Chairman, thanked the choir, pianist Annabel Thwaite and all the soloists, for supporting our soldiers and presented the ABF Certificate of Appreciation. In particular, he thanked the audience for supporting this singing concert and for their very generous donations.

Peter Parish, Dhekelia Garrison, presented a cheque to the ABF for E 8,500. The whole evening made a good contribution to the ABF Soldiers' Charity Fund.

Nick Smith, Chairman ABF Cyprus, presented a gold 'Thank You' medal to Despina Tymviou the Events Coordinator of Aphrodite Hills Resort who sponsored the Mayday 10Km and 5km run