Veterans get a coffee break
FALKLANDS TRUCK NOW CONVERTED INTO MOBILE COFFEE VAN
IT helped carry artillery to troops fighting in the Falklands conflict in 1982 and is now offering support of a different kind to former service personnel.
The Land Rover 101 vehicle has been transformed into a mobile coffee van for Forward Assist, a veterans’ charity based in Dudley, North Tyneside.
The group was launched by former Royal Marine-turned-social worker Tony Wright in 2009 and began life as About Turn CIC to help former service personnel who were struggling to deal with life on civvy street.
Over the years the award-winning charity has come up with a series of initiatives.
Its latest is the ‘Salute Coffee Truck’ which has come about thanks to its partnership with Starbucks and a grant from Northstar Foundation.
Forward Assist social enterprise manager, Jon Clapham, said: “We had been looking for a former army vehicle for the venture as that would make it a veteran itself.
“When we found out about the Land Rover, with its Falklands heritage, we thought – this is the one.”
The vehicle was originally registered by the MOD in January 1977.
It was shipped over to the Falkland Islands during the conflict in 1982 and was left there when it ended. It was acquired by a local farmer who used it to transport supplies across the island.
In 2013 it was returned to the UK by a Land Rover enthusiast who converted it into a camper van, along with the distinctive tiger stripes.
Forward Assist bought the truck in late 2016 and the conversion was carried out by specialist company Coffee Latino based in Blaydon, Gateshead.
Starbucks has trained many Forward Assist veterans as baristas as part of the partnership over the last two years. They include Alan Spearman, who is operating the truck.
Jon said: “We want to get as many people as we possibly can trained up to use it.”
He said it is now available for bookings at weddings and with the festival season fast approaching they are looking to get out and about in it.
The opportunity to become employed by Salute Enterprises will provide several veterans to learn and develop customer service and entrepreneurial skills, whilst becoming more socially integrated.
“The vehicle can support three to four vets if it is out seven days a week and we’re currently looking for a daily pitch,” said Jon.
Forward Assist has been nominated in the Community Organisation category of the prestigious National Diversity Awards. To vote for it, visit https://nominate.nationaldiversityawards. co.uk/Nominate/ Endorse/31887?name=