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ABF funds new gym for Scottish Veterans' Residence

Director of Welfare for the ABF, Colonel Paul Cummings, has opened an ABF-funded gymnasium in the attic of a Scottish Veterans’ Residence.

The gym, in Whitefoord House in Edinburgh, was created using an ABF grant of £15,000, following a request for an exercise area from the younger resident "veterans" at Whitefoord House.

"The ABF are delighted to assist SVR in the building of this magnificent fitness suite, which fits our grant-giving criteria of 'a hand up rather than a hand out'. Physical fitness is an essential element of morale and general well-being which we are pleased has been recognised by SVR in this particular project."

Colonel Paul Cummings, Director of Welfare for the ABF

"Our residents at Whitefoord House are single ex-service men and women who enjoy excellent, high quality single en-suite room accommodation which meets their needs. However; we also have an obligation to encourage our residents to keep themselves fit and healthy. Many of our veterans, both young and old, suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, arthritis and other debilitating illnesses as result of their time in the Armed Forces. We know that regular exercise can help improve many of these conditions therefore having this facility on site will be of great benefit to the residents."

Ian Ballantyne, Chief Executive of SVR

The gymnasium will be named "The Kevin (Sandy) Sanderson Gym" in memory of the late Mr. Kevin (Sandy) Sanderson, the former manager of Whitefoord House who had the original idea of converting the attic into a gym. Tragically Mr. Sanderson died very suddenly last year before the project was completed.

The Scottish Veterans’ Residences (SVR) is Scotland’s oldest charity for ex-Service men and women, being founded in 1910. SVR supports independent living within a safe, secure and friendly community environment for ex-Service men and women and their spouses of all ages who find themselves homeless or in times of need.