A haven for veterans
Cotswold Life|January 2020
Tony Raybone has a distinguished history of charity work and now helps provide homes for former services personnel who are having a hard time in life
Katie Jarvis
A haven for veterans

This year marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day – and when better to remember the loyal service given by the Armed Forces.

Tony Raybone is an ambassador for Gloucestershire Homes for Veterans, run by national homeless charity Alabaré. Up to 12 veterans can be housed in two Gloucester city homes where they receive support with all aspects of their lives, from counselling and retraining to job applications.

Tony and his wife Amanda – a lawyer – have a distinguished history of charity work, including support for Combat Stress and Walking With The Wounded. In 2018, they organised Gloucestershire Salutes in Gloucester Cathedral, marking the centenary of the end of the First World War. Nearly 700 people took part.

During the height of the Bosnian War, the couple drove to Split on behalf of War Child, delivering generators, flak jackets and radio equipment: “A memorable and sometimes fraught experience.

“We are the lucky generation, which has never been called on to fight for Queen and Country, the raison d’etre behind my charity work,” Tony says.

Where do you live and why?

We live overlooking the beautiful Newmarket Valley in Nailsworth – and we live there by choice.

How long have you lived in the Cotswolds?

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