Next has launched a partnership with armed forces charity Help for Heroes to improve support for veterans and their families.

The retail firm will fundraise, host awareness raising events and support its veteran and reservist employees through the link up.

This follows the launch last year of Next’s uniformed services employee led community.

Next has also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging to treat armed forces personal, veterans and their families fairly.

Help for Heroes was nominated to be a charity partner by employees, including reservists who combine working for the firm and serving in the military part time.

The launch announcement has been timed to coincide with Armed Forces Week (24 to 30 June).

“We are incredibly excited and proud for NEXT to be joining a partnership with Help for Heroes which is the leading Armed Forces and veterans’ charity in the UK,” said Tom Holyoak, an army reservist and infrastructure & cloud services team leader at the retail firm.

“As an employee with NEXT and an active Army reservist it’s great to see NEXT supporting Help for Heroes and signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant which ensures those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families are treated fairly and should face no disadvantage when compared to other citizens.”

Help for Heroes chief executive James Needham added: “We are proud to partner with NEXT in support of our armed forces community. Signing the Armed Forces Covenant shows dedication to improving the lives of veterans and their families, and we will support them in delivering their plans.

“We look forward to seeing the amazing fundraising efforts of NEXT employees over the coming year as we work with their network of veterans and colleagues. Together this partnership honours the armed forces community and will help us in providing the essential help and support they need.”

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