The Celebrating Forces Families (CFF) Awards Team is so excited to congratulate its three amazing finalists for the Family Volunteer of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at a celebrity-presented Awards evening in London on 28th April.

This award could be a military family or individual family member of any age who has volunteered towards an Armed Forces cause.

The finalists are:

· Sharon Deans

· Yasmine Martin

· Luisa Matatolu

Sharon Deans

Sharon works for the East London NHS Foundation Trust as an Armed Forces Veterans Community Champion working on a project to improve opportunities for the Veteran community. She is a volunteer Army Welfare Service Youth worker, Buddy for The Ripple Pond and is currently Vice Chair of the Regional Voice Group for The Military Wives Choirs (as well as being the choir lead for Bovington Military Wives Choir).

Sharon says:

“I can't put into words what it means right now. I am absolutely blown away and can only thank everyone who nominated me. When volunteering we all give our time and energy freely so to be recognised in this way is incredible.”

Yasmin Martin

Yasmin is a courageous individual who champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. After attending RAF Families Day events, she created a presentation on how the RAF can be more diverse and successfully presented it to Service personnel of all ranks at RAF Shawbury. Yasmin’s impact was so significant that she has been invited back multiple times to work with the Diversity and Inclusion Team at RAF Shawbury in the future.

Yasmin adds:

“People like me do not get opportunities like this. To be staged on a platform and recognised for my efforts is a huge driver for not only me but for the communities that I represent.”

Luisa Matatolu

Luisa, a financial expert, supports the Fijian Armed Forces community in the UK through Marama Alliance Uk. She advocates for financial literacy, providing information and awareness sessions to individuals who need it. Additionally, she runs Fijian language classes and advocates for Fijian Language Week for Fijian children born in the UK as part of the Armed Forces Community.

Luisa says:

“I feel honoured to be nominated, let alone be chosen as a finalist of the CFF23 Awards. This nomination is for all of the members of our Forces family that have given very generously of their time, resources and expertise so our communities can thrive wherever they are. Vinaka vakalevu & God Bless you all!.”

Family Volunteer Award sponsors are HSBC and David Bill the HSBC Military Network Chair, says:

“We are proud to sponsor this award for the first time this year. It is great to read about the efforts of all the finalists in their volunteering activities. They all clearly make a meaningful contribution to the Armed Forces community in their own unique way. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise what often goes unrecognised and we commend all members of the Armed Forces community who undertake volunteer work and make a difference.“

*The 2022 Celebrating Forces Families Awards event in full swing*
*©Al Topping Photography/Helen Holt Photography*

The Awards evening

Friday 28th April 2023 will see a formal dinner and awards ceremony held at the Victory Services Club, London. The Awards are supported by the Ministry of Defence through its Partner Employment Working Group.

Actor and SSAFA Ambassador, Antony Cotton is also returning as a guest presenter at the Awards.

Watch on livestream

If you aren’t able to be at the Awards, you can still join virtually for free! Simply register online and then make sure you’ve got the date in your diary to plan your evening however you wish to celebrate with everyone.

Follow the CFF Team as the 2023 events unfold:

· Twitter: @CFFAwards

· Facebook: @CelebratingForcesFamilies

· Insta: @celebratingforcesfamilies

Celebrating Forces Families Awards Finalists 2023: Family Volunteer of the Year