A Helping Hand, supporting partners of lost veterans Inc. (“AHH” or “A Helping Hand”) is a charity, it is also a “Welfare Patriotic Fund”, and is an Australian non-profit organisation established in 2019 by the ex-servicemen and other supporters of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club Australia Inc. – Gippsland Chapter.
Patriotic funds are a type of trust fund created after the First World War, when Victorian communities raised money to assist soldiers and their families. They provide welfare services and clubrooms for returned service personnel and their dependants.
- AHH is 100% volunteer run and operated
- AHH’s supporters are passionate about what we do and how we do it
- We pride ourselves on proposing ideas and following through
Your help is important too. Our work is only made possible by the generous support of all Australians. We rely on people like you to donate to our programs and appeals, so we can provide vital help within our veterans community.
Below is a short promotional clip about “A Helping Hand” that sums up what we do:
What we do?
The primary focus of the Fund will be targeted towards providing support for the partners and dependants (children) of our “Lost” Australian Defence Force members (veterans).
Whether the veteran was lost during duty or back home (due to suicide, other means of death, or psychological disorders); the fund will provide support to their partners and/or dependants.
We will raise funds through donations and grants, to be used in necessitous circumstances for the welfare of lost veteran’s partners or dependants.
Why we do this?
Serving in the Australian Defence Force can have a significant impact on health, well-being and quality of life – during and after service. Service men and women can return from training, war zones or other deployments where they have sustained physical and psychological damage.
This can have a significant impact on family members supporting and caring for the injured or ill veteran. And, sadly, some members lose their lives while serving, shattering the hopes and dreams of their families, especially their partners and children.
Many veterans can not handle the return home and suicide is seen as an easy out, but this leaves the family devastated. This is issue rampant with veterans of all wars and conflicts, not only overseas, but here in Australia.
These veterans may be “lost” due to being killed during their service or after (e.g. suicide), or lost because of psychological injuries.
Our Story
“A Helping Hand” is a welfare patriotic fund and is an Australian non-profit organisation established in 2019 by ex-servicemen and others who are also members of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club Australia Inc.
Patriotic funds are a type of trust fund created after the First World War, when Victorian communities raised money to assist soldiers and their families. They provide welfare services and clubrooms for returned service personnel and their dependants.
The VVMC Gippsland Chapter, has over the past 15 years (since 2006) provided thousands of dollars in charitable donations and support to veterans and a wide number of deserving organisations and persons.
But now they want to focus this support towards a specific cause, support for “Lost” Veteran’s partners and dependants.
The VVMC Gippsland Chapter fully supports “A Helping Hand” and is now the primary Charity they work with.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to meeting the needs of Australian Veterans and their families seeking help. The objects and mission of “A Helping Hand” are to provide for the sick, helpless, wounded, aged, disabled, destitute and needy among those who are serving or have served in the Australian Defence Force; in particular “A Helping Hand” has the aim of providing support for the partners and dependants of “lost” Australian service men and women.
“A Helping Hand” is committed to helping young families through bereavement and beyond, providing them with a supporting hand. At AHH we are aware of the significant loss endured by families living without a parent or spouse, and we endeavour to support the families in their time of loss. The needs of eligible beneficiaries may be classified as:
• Financial
• Medical
• Social
• Education
What…
…is a Veteran?
A veteran is someone who has served in the Australian Defence Force, Peacekeeping Force or other Commonwealth Forces
…is a Partner?
The de-facto, wife, or husband of a veteran (living or deceased) who was a dependant of the veteran, at the time the veteran was “lost”.
…are Dependants?
The son, daughter, grandchild who are or were solely dependent on the veteran are dependants.
…is a Need?
Generally, it means that the veteran or the dependant cannot afford to purchase the goods or services they need to live, in an appropriate and acceptable manner
Future
| “A Helping Hand’s primary goal is in providing support for the partners and dependants of “lost” Australian Defence service men and women. |
“A Helping Hand” will raise and distribute money, services, or goods for charitable purposes, health related programs, social and community welfare activities and the relief, assistance or support of veterans and/or their partners and dependants.
Funds (and goods & services) are to be raised from appeals, donations, bequests, raffles, special events, sponsorships, dinners, corporate sponsorships, Government Grants, and other donated income.
Our Values
