The Lord Mayor's Platinum Jubilee Big Curry Lunch

On Thursday 7 April the Brewers’ Company Clerk attended the Lord Mayor’s Platinum Jubilee Big Curry Lunch at the Guildhall.

The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch (LMBCL) first took place in April 2008. From the outset, the Lunch had several aims. First, to raise funds to support soldiers and former soldiers, both regular and reservists, who had served in Iraq and, subsequently, in Afghanistan and their families. Second, to raise awareness in the City community of the role of the Armed Forces. Third, to build awareness of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, a national charity which works to support soldiers, former soldiers and their families. Finally, to emphasise to City workers the breadth and depth of the City’s philanthropy to those in society who need help and support.

In 2022 the LMBCL is providing financial support for veterans to take part in the Pain Management Programme (PMP) at the King Edward VII Hospital’s Centre for Veterans’ Health, designed to help them manage their pain and subsequently find meaningful work. Chronic pain is the most significant barrier to a veteran being able to find and sustain meaningful employment, which is the backbone of their future wellbeing and impacts on every other aspect of their personal lives.

In addition, the LMBCL in 2022 is supporting LifeWorks, a programme which focuses on finding employment, education and training for veterans from all the Services and their families. It offers practical advice, guidance and support regardless of the length of service and is available nationwide, wherever veterans live.

Michael Hockney, Co-Chairman of the LMBCL, said: “The Lord Mayor and I hope that your generosity today will fund 15 veterans waiting to go on the PMP and 65 veterans through a LifeWorks programme. The impact of both of these tried and tested programmes is transformational for veterans and their families.”