9 days to go until the Launch of A Driving Force for SSAFA 2026 in Dunkirk – Help us reach a cumulative £1,000,000 target of fundraising, and 1,000,000 miles of travel!
A Driving Force for SSAFA 2026 involves 50 vehicles aiming to raise over £100,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. ADF26 will see participant cars and support vehicles, experiencing an exhilarating 11-day driving adventure across 10 countries from 1-11 August 2026.
This epic adventure will begin in Dunkirk with a short memorial service for those military personnel that have given the ultimate sacrifice with a route to Bosnia and back. The service in Dunkirk takes place on the morning of Saturday 1 August 2026, with the Mayor or Dunkirk officially launching the event at 11am.
Partnering with SSAFA once again for 2026, the A Driving Force Team and participants have pledged to raise a further £100,000 to support military personnel and their families and have already raised over £89,000!
Steve Shaw MA, FCILT, CMCIPD and Benn Laidler MBE pictured below receiving the Sir James Gildea Partnering Award from SSAFA.
Started by two ex-serving members of HM Forces Benn Laidler MBE and Steve Shaw MA, FCILT, CMCIPD, Directors of A Driving Force, witnessed first-hand the hardship and devastation suffered by casualties of military conflict. They have raised over £850,000 for many charities supporting military personnel. For 2026, this enormously successful campaign has set its sights on reaching a cumulative £1,000,000 target of fundraising and 1,000,000 miles of travel!.
Steve Shaw MA, FCILT, CMCIPD, Directors of A Driving Force said:
“Those taking part in A Driving Force 2026, will once again come from all walks of life, to help others whilst having the adventure of a lifetime. Each entrant covers their own costs per car and are encouraged to fundraise for our chosen charity – SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Whilst combat operations have now ceased, our country must deal with the aftermath of 20 years of operations in the Middle East. As we conduct this event, we pay tribute to the hundreds of people who made the ultimate sacrifice on operations. Just as importantly our fundraising is aimed at sustaining people and their families who suffered life changing injuries.
We would really appreciate it if you could make a donation – all funds go directly to SSAFA. It is so important to support the fantastic work that SSAFA do now more than ever. Any donation is very much appreciated.
This year the highlight will be a return to Bosnia as we did in 2022, which was an evocative experience in its own right. It will be even more so this time round as the majority of our Leadership Team served during the Balkans conflict.”
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need. In 2024, their trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 54,000 people, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families.
Since 1885, they have provided welfare and wellbeing assistance that is tailored to our Armed Forces community. They know about the unique demands of service life, whether in the UK or overseas, and they continue to meet the demand for support enabling the entire Armed Forces community to thrive. And they are there for that person and their family, any time they need them and in any way they need them to make sure they never battle alone. More information can be found at ssafa.org.uk
Jonathan Sandall, Director of Fundraising for SSAFA, says:
“Over the last decade, Steve and Benn have raised a phenomenal amount of money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity through their charity driving events, whilst also remembering the brave servicemen and servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst on operations in the Middle East. SSAFA stands together to ensure that our military community receives the support and care they need.”
To donate to our 2026 event, visit: https://ssafa.enthuse.com/cf/a-driving-force-for-ssafa-2026