Camping and Climbing Made Easier: NAAFI Fund Supports BATUK in Kenya
A significant £12,500 grant from the NAAFI Fund is set to transform outdoor adventures for British Army personnel and their families stationed in Kenya (BATUK).
The Kenyan landscape offers unparalleled opportunities for exploration, from breathtaking wilderness camping to exhilarating rock climbing. However, accessing these experiences safely and comfortably requires specialised equipment – something that can be a significant logistical and financial hurdle for personnel on deployment.
Following a successful grant application, BATUK has received £12,500 dedicated to procuring essential camping tents and high-quality climbing equipment. This vital funding ensures that personnel can safely navigate the Kenyan wilderness for overnight stays and awesome adventures.
This vital kit included state-of-the-art walkie-talkies, comfortable camping mattresses, and large, top-of-the-range tents, all crucial for their explorations in Kenya.
Jason Varndell, the project lead, highlighted the immediate positive effects: “The NAAFI Fund’s grant has had an immediate and tangible impact on the lived experience here in Kenya. Beyond the adventure gear, BATUK also purchased amplifying equipment for our Welfare Centre, directly benefiting service personnel and their families. The camping equipment is already heavily utilised for weekends away, and our mountain club and Adventure Training activities now rely heavily on the new rock-climbing kit, enabling us to facilitate mountain sports safely and effectively.”
Personnel from BATUK echoed this sentiment, emphasising the practical difference the grant makes: “We simply didn’t have the freight allowance to bring extensive camping equipment with us to Kenya, and purchasing a full set-up here is incredibly expensive! The option to rent high-quality equipment from the Welfare Centre for our weekends away gives us so many more options to explore both locally and further afield. This really has made a significant difference to our posting, and we are incredibly grateful! Thank you, NAAFI!”
This partnership between the NAAFI Fund and BATUK exemplifies a commitment to enhancing the well-being and recreational opportunities for service personnel and their families. By removing barriers to adventure, the grant promotes physical activity, strengthens camaraderie, and enriches the unique experience of being stationed in Kenya.
Is your regiment in need of new sporting or adventure equipment? The NAAFI Fund is here to support you! Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help.
