Our Chosen Charity 2026

Forces Veterans Afloat is a group of veterans and civilians, boaters and non-boaters, based in the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire area. We came together nearly four years ago to refurbish donated narrowboats, which we loan to homeless veterans. Our launch immediately gathered a lot of attention and we successfully became a Registered Charity in 2024 (Registered Charity 1211509).

When you speak to veterans living on one of the charity’s boats, it’s clear to see the mental health benefits. Many veterans are used to a life on the move and living on a boat gives them the freedom to be part of a community, while being able to move around the country if they want to. 

This is particularly advantageous for those veterans suffering PTSD, meaning that they are able to move on from local distractions and triggers should they need to, or just find peace in the secure space of their boat. The charity rebuilds boats, but the boats rebuild lives. 

Living on a boat is also much more affordable for many veterans. FVA covers the outlay and maintenance so that veterans need only cover electricity, gas and diesel, plus mooring fees which are usually around £200-£350 per month in a good marina.

We are building up a small fleet of boats, which will be loaned for a maximum of two years to veterans who come to us with the support of a partner forces charity. Veterans gain a cheap, warm, dry and safe place to stay and can build up some money to either buy their own boat or put down a deposit on a land base.

We currently have nine boats belonging to the charity, five currently occupied by veterans and the rest of the fleet in the process of maintenance, safety certification and refurbishment. We are also getting our 104-year-old, 70ft flagship ‘NB Daisy’ ready for office use, volunteer accommodation and catering. It will later represent the charity at canal festivals.

We are currently in the planning stage for our own wharf on the edge of Ilkeston, on the Erewash Canal. This compound will store our donated boats, materials and tools and feature moorings for the refurbished boats so that their assigned veterans can get accustomed to life afloat. 

Of course, this all takes money and while we have some excellent logistical and practical support in place from bodies such as the Canal & River Trust and East Midlands Airport, we are always actively seeking new ways to fund our work, such as our ‘Float Your Boat’ initiative, through which charities, or other donors, sponsor a project boat and follow its journey right through to seeing a veteran on board and thriving.

We are grateful for any offered donations and every donation directly benefits and improves the lives of the veterans aboard our boats. Every penny you donate is accounted for and spent on the boats and the veterans assigned to them.

We are delighted to accept the fundraising support of Armed Forces T-shirt Day for their 2026 campaign, so help them to help us by buying a t-shirt, donating £5 or attending the amazing AT E@SE Festival!

Thank you for your support!