The Royal Hospital Chelsea, which is independent of Government, is Home for between 300 and 350 veteran soldiers, who have decided to surrender their military pension to the Treasury in order to receive accommodation, food, uniform clothing, professional care and medical attention, when they need it.
The Government provides a Grant in Aid to the Royal Hospital each year to cover the majority of the running costs, however major projects and non-routine maintenance requires additional funds, which have to be secured through private donations.
Legislation on Care Standards is changing and people’s expectations of care quality are rightly rising. The Royal Hospital must therefore respond and make appropriate changes to the buildings if it is to remain an attractive proposition for retired soldiers, who are older than 65 and who have no one financially dependent upon them.
The Royal Hospital continues to attract old soldiers, who enjoy as stress free a life as possible within this National institution. Operations around the world will continue to make huge demands on our soldiers, non-commissioned officers and warrant officers. When the time comes for them to seek help in the twilight years of their lives, we wish to be able to support them in a decent and sympathetic manner, respect their dignity and individuality and welcome them into a place, where their concerns and minor demands are understood. Above all, we strive to make them feel valued members of a society that owes them recognition and a huge debt for their loyal and courageous service to the Crown.
To secure the funds for the changes necessary to ensure the future of the Royal Hospital, the Chelsea Pensioners’ Appeal was launched to raise the £35 million required to build and equip a new Infirmary (Care Home) and to modernise parts of the Pensioners’ living accommodation within the Christopher Wren designed Long Wards.
If you wish to donate to the Chelsea Pensioners’ Appeal please click here >>