Celebrating Forces Families Awards Finalists 2023: Armed Forces Advocate Award
Join the Celebrating Forces Families (CFF) Awards Team in congratulating its three amazing finalists for the Social Media Influencer Award. The winner will be announced at a celebrity-presented Awards evening in London this coming Friday, 28th April.
The winner publicly and positively supports the Armed Forces. This could be a school, group/club, family or an individual!
The finalists are:
· Samantha Cairns
· Leanne Cobham
· Natasha Day - Defence Breastfeeding Network
Samantha Cairns
Samantha is a dedicated Civil Servant, Commanding Officer of a local Air Cadet Squadron, and a RAF spouse, Samantha has a deep-rooted connection to the Armed Forces. She has made a significant impact on the lives of the young people in her Cornish town, and provided invaluable guidance to those who are interested in the Air Cadets, but may not have access to resources or information. Her efforts have not only had a positive impact on her Squadron, but also the surrounding community.
Samantha Cairns
Samantha says:
“This has come completely out of the blue for me, but I’ve always been in and around the Armed Forces - whether that’s with Cadets, working with the Civil Service in Air Command, or the fact my husband was in the Forces. The Armed Forces has had a huge impact on my life and to be nominated for a CFF Award is a huge privilege.”
Leanne Cobham
Leanne is the Armed Forces Healthcare lead at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. Leanne works to improve healthcare services for the military community and ensures that special provisions are put in place for those who need it. She also provides direct support to service users and advocates for the Armed Forces community to improve services within the NHS and other organisations.
Leanne Cobham
Leanne says:
“I am absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed to be selected as a finalist for the Armed Forces Advocate Award. As part of a Forces family, I am absolutely passionate about ensuring our Armed Forces Community are able to access services, particularly health services without disadvantage and with special consideration and reasonable adjustments made where appropriate.
“I have worked incredibly hard to raise awareness of the unique circumstances faced by the Armed Forces Community and ensure they are considered and given due regard at every contact. I support families from birth to death and feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to do so.
“I couldn't do what I do without the amazing support of my work colleagues and the wider Armed Forces Support Network. I am so grateful for the nomination for this award and elated beyond words to have been selected as a finalist.”
Natasha Day - Defence Breastfeeding Network
Natasha is the chair of the Defence Breastfeeding Network, which supports Armed Forces families who choose to breastfeed. The network offers online and in-person support, a sense of community, and access to training. Natasha has opened 56 breastfeeding rooms across the Defence infrastructure and advocates for retaining families post-baby. She has changed policy and opened the network to the entire Armed Forces community, making life easier for future parents.
Natasha adds:
“What an honour! As a Service person it's important to recognise how much our families sacrifice for us to enable us to do the job that we do. Without them it's impossible!”
Armed Forces Advocate Award sponsors are Mott MacDonald and Liz Baldwin, Managing Director, Highways and Intelligent Transport Systems Division (and Mott MacDonald’s Armed Forces Champion) says:
“Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. As a strong supporter of our Forces family employees, we are delighted once again to be sponsoring the Advocate of the Year award, and we congratulate all the finalists on their well-deserved recognition.”
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 returning as guest presenter at the Awards. This year he is also joined by actress and TV presenter Kym Marsh.
Watch on livestream
The BFBS Live Events Team will be livestreaming the Awards. 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 have 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