Yorkshire’s finest joins forces in support of a new social enterprise for vulnerable veterans. Leeds-born Marco Pierre White launches the fundraising initiative at one of the region’s most prestigious venues, Harewood House on 5 October.
The high profile launch aims to raise awareness of plans to build a Veteran’s Artisan Bakery to offer a training bakery, kitchen and coffee point at Catterick Garrison.
The bakery will be built at The Beacon at Catterick- a flagship accommodation, training and social enterprise centre run by housing association, Riverside, which helps ex-service personnel suffering with combat stress or at risk of homelessness. The bakery will provide the opportunity to start fresh lives by providing vocational training and accredited qualifications.
Riverside’s MoD Area Manager, Trevor Morris, himself an ex-serviceman, said: “When people leave the Armed Forces they often find that while they have lots of very useful team and project management skills, they need to develop trades that will find them jobs in civilian life. We consulted with a lot of veterans about what trades would interest them and active trades such as a bakery and landscaping came out very high. All our residents are thrilled that Marco has come on board to support them and they can’t wait to offer him the very first batch of Veterans Cookies to come out of their bakery! We’re hoping Marco will give a few exclusive tips to the veterans on creating a Michelin worthy loaf. Baking is in vogue at the moment with TV shows like the Great British Bake Off, but learning these hands-on skills taps into a very traditional trade and offers a simple, but effective therapy as well as equipping them for a new career as a baker, barista or business owner.”
It’s estimated at least 8,500 of the 17,000 service personnel who leave the Armed Forces every year will develop mental health problems. Funding for the enterprise has already come from a number of sources including a grant from the Hesco Bastion Fund set up by the late Jimi Heselden managed by the Leeds Community Foundation. Commenting on the donation Jimi’s wife Julie said: “Much of our business is linked with making and supplying protective equipment to support our armed forces in areas such as Afghanistan. Jimi was always very keen to support charities that were helping army personnel when they returned from active duty so this project, being based in Yorkshire, seemed an ideal link to our Fund.”
Harewood House confirmed its support for the venture which fits with its ethos and status as an educational charitable trust. Mike Shafer, Chief Executive of Harewood House, said: “Marco and I share a common purpose – to help those in the best way we can. Harewood opened its doors to wounded service men in WWII, with much of the State Floor set out as hospital wards and the formal gardens and grounds turned over to agricultural land. If working with Marco and the team to promote the Veterans Artisan Bakery is an element of our contribution to war veterans of the 21stcentury, then we are more than happy to do so. We send all involved our very best wishes.”
Marco Pierre White – the first celebrity chef and Godfather of modern cooking – trained such chefs as Gordon Ramsay. He was the youngest chef ever to be awarded three Michelin stars. Marco has a strong affiliation to Yorkshire, growing up on a council house in East Leeds he trained at the St George Hotel in Harrogate and The Box Tree in Ilkley, of which he is now a partner, before becoming a global success. Marco said: “I’ve flown to Iraq and Afghanistan to cook for the troops on Christmas Day, and it’s always a privilege. I strongly believe we all have a duty to support our soldiers and that duty of care shouldn’t stop on their return home. I once said that my kitchens are like The French Foreign Legion. In the past, I’ve done projects working with troubled youths who turn their lives around. I feel passionate about the morality and value of working hard and the stabiliser of routine to help ground people. And there’s nothing more beautiful and honest than making a decent loaf of bread or good espresso. This bakery is a way to bring people together and work for a common cause. The veterans deserve this opportunity – I know how tough it is – my visits to the frontline have been truly life-changing experiences. I have nothing but respect for the soldiers who served there and I am honoured to support a valuable project like this. So let’s break bread and salute these great people.”
Clair Challenor-Chadwick, director and fundraiser at Cause UK, who is tasked with raising funds for the project said: “Marco’s support is invaluable in helping to raise awareness for those ex-service personnel who are struggling to adjust to civilian life. We really hope Yorkshire will rise to the challenge and support this valuable project.”
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I hope the launch went well