Veterans attend Downing Street reception

Fifteen veterans represented Help for Heroes at a reception hosted at 10 Downing Street by Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer and Akshata Murty, on behalf of the Prime Minster, to mark Armed Forces Week.  

 
The reception not only offered an opportunity for Mr Mercer and Ms Murty to personally thank our veterans for their service. But also, for our veterans to put their concerns about what more can be done to support those transitioning out of the Armed Forces and veterans with long-term health conditions to the very heart of government.  

Mr Mercer reaffirmed his commitment to campaigning for the veteran community in Parliament in his address to the reception, highlighting his own experience of serving in Afghanistan as one of his motivating reasons for later entering politics.  

Ms Murty spoke of the importance of the Armed Forces to the UK’s history, security, and culture. She told the reception how she and her husband, Rishi Sunak, had been active supporters of Help for Heroes’ work in his constituency of Richmond in Yorkshire since he became an MP in 2015.