uk4u Trustees

Brigadier David Martin CBE

David Martin first became involved with uk4u Thanks! in 2005 as a so-called Shadow Director when he represented the MoD's interest on the Board which he now chairs.

He has found it hard work, but great fun, establishing the charity with the high profile task of supplying tens of thousands of gift boxes to every serviceman and servicewoman deployed on operations on Christmas Day - wherever they are in the world!  But, he says, it's all been worthwhile and the most rewarding part is reading all the letters of thanks every year. David says it's been a real team effort that has enjoyed some outstanding support from the MoD, the sponsors, the media, Digibug and Vestey Foods. He says his fellow Directors have been fantastic to work with and that the whole Board is now looking forward to the opportunities that will be presented during 2014, the 100th anniversary of Princess Mary's first box, and now that the Government has awarded the charity a grant from the LIBOR fund to employ a fundraiser.

Sally Little MSc FCIPD

Sally’s husband, Brigadier Jeff Little was involved when the first box was sent to the servicemen and servicewomen at Christmas. It was such a success that it was decided to create a charity and continue to send the boxes.  At the stage when the Charity was formed, Sally was invited to become a uk4u Thanks! Trustee and was delighted to accept. Jeff’s words were:  “You won’t have much to do!”  Not true of course, it is a very active Charity and busy throughout the year, not just at Christmas, but nevertheless very rewarding and satisfying.  Over a 34 year career in the Army, Jeff has served on operations away from home on Christmas Day and many other occasions, so Sally is well aware of the difficulties when loved ones are serving away, especially in dangerous situations.   It is therefore a great pleasure to be able to give something back to those who are away from their families at this special time.

Allan Sims

Allan served in the Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm) in the ‘50s and ‘60s transferring to The Royal Air Force in 1966. 

His son, Jonathan, served in the Army which gave Allan experience of all three Services.  Delighted to be asked to be a Trustee when the Charity was formed, Allan has enjoyed being at the sharp end of choosing the gifts going into the Box and has grown a full set to enable him to be a realistic Santa for the Launch of the Boxes each year.

Charles Wookey MIH

Charles Wookey first became involved with uk4u Thanks! in 2005 as an RAF officer working in the Defence Catering Group, later to become Defence Food Services Project Team, with Brigadier David Martin. 

The initial work load was high because it was a new charity and we had no previous experience in such matters.  Getting sponsorship/support proved to be hard work but our thanks go to all our supporters who enable us to continue this fantastic project.  Selecting Christmas Box items with the managing committee and supplier each year is great fun.  The satisfaction from receiving thank you letters makes it all so worthwhile.  Who could help but be touched by such a worthy cause?  He was delighted to accept the invitation to become a director/trustee in March 2009.  Although he retired from the RAF in August 2010, he continues with the good work and he hopes, along with the other Trustees, that their future work will become unnecessary when all our Armed Forces are at home for Christmas.