Communities in Business

7th June 2010
CiB wins prestigious Royal British Legion award for the Hamilton Project

We are very pleased to announce that our initiative ‘The Hamilton Project’ (www.hamiltonproject.org.uk) has won the Royal British Legion's Friends of the Forces Award for Community Group in the East. The Friends of the Forces Award is a new scheme backed by Prince Harry. There are four award categories: (i) Individual, (ii) Young Individual (ages 17 or under), (iii) Community Group and (iv) Commercial Organisation in eight regions. Twelve of the 32 will be short-listed for the National Awards (announced later this month) and so fingers crossed for the Hamilton Project!

Rob Blair has benefited from business mentoring from the project and has started his own London-based personal training business (http://www.gocommandopersonaltraining.co.uk/). “Since originally meeting the Hamilton Project team back in 2006, they have been the one constant that has remained from initial start-up to a now expanding and passionate business. The old saying 'There are no friends in business' does not, will not and has never applied with any meetings, conversations or exchanges of ideas with Tracey, Russell and Philip. Very rarely do you find a group of people outside of your family and close friends that are genuinely interested in you, your business and how you can turn your dreams into reality. I have experienced the highs and lows as all start-up businesses do, however, with their expertise, guidance and friendship I’ve turned my pipe dream into a highly rewarding and respected business. All my thanks and appreciation.”

Dr Tracey Marr comments: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award and proud to have been honoured by the Royal British Legion for what we have achieved with the Hamilton Project. Over the last five years, close to 500 ex-Forces personnel have been provided with access to our book, enterprise education and mentoring from the Hamilton Project. This award represents the culmination of the hard work undertaken by an excellent team and a number of voluntary supporters and fundraisers. We’d like to dedicate this award to all our supporters and the family of the late Richard Hamilton.”