Support for the military.
The Richardson family’s support for the military goes back decades. Roy and Don Richardson completed National Service together in the RAF and so began their enduring association and huge commitment to the Armed Forces.
The family is proud to have constant, regular contact with all three Services providing financial, physical and moral support to areas where central MOD funding has been limited or non-existent.
Today Roy assists in an unofficial ambassadorial role for the Royal Navy, and the Armed Forces in the West Midlands, and maintains a watchful eye for opportunities, grand or small, to support through the Richardson Brothers Foundation. Carl Richardson has recently completed a term as an Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy Reserve, a position which enabled him to identify at close hand areas where assistance could be provided by the family.
Over the years the family has sponsored a wide gamut of Royal Navy initiatives and events, particularly with ships affiliated to the West Midlands region such as HMS DARING (D32) affiliation with Birmingham and HMS DIAMOND (D34) with Coventry. This support includes the sponsorship of termly awards, as well as funding specialist event equipment and events including Commissionings, Dedications and ship launches. The family has an ongoing interest with the amphibious command ship, HMS ALBION (L14) and the off shore patrol vessel HMS TAMAR (P233), the greenest ship in the Royal Navy currently deploying to the Pacific Rim.
The Richardson family has a special affiliation with HMS DARING (D32)
Additionally, the family create quality engagement through their national links with business, civic and political leaders and military communities, marking key events in the military calendar. These include staging inclusive business and military dinners to observe Trafalgar Day both in the UK and overseas.
The family actively support Armed Forces Days, World War 1 and World War 2 commemorations. Remembrance Sunday is commemorated every year in Dudley, Roy’s birth town. The family host business networking events after the official service, with invitations extended across the wider region to all of the Armed Forces.
Military charities are supported through the Richardson Brothers Foundation, with donations going to national appeals such as The Army Benevolent Fund and BLESMA, as well as numerous regional good causes including Regimental Museums and local Sea Cadet Units.
“The Richardson family offer support to all of the Armed Forces and particularly the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, going over and above the norm of what anybody would expect or ask, in terms of time and resources.”
Brigadier G W Fraser MBE ADC Royal Marines
Naval Regional Commander for Wales and Western England