Derby Amputee Social Club
Amputee and Family Social Group

Swifty is something of a legend and we invited him to come back and speak to us on the 21st October 2010 as we thought his previous visit had been so inspiring. On this occasion he brought along John a double amputee and fellow ex-soldier who also shared his story. They made special mention of the 'Not Forgotten Association' who have been supporting amputees for many years.

 'In 1919, a year after the Armistice which ended the terrible carnage of the Great War, a lady was visiting her local hospital. She asked the matron if, by chance, she still had any wounded servicemen under treatment. ‘Six hundred’ came the bleak reply. The lady Miss Marta Cunningham, a famous singer, was horrified and soon discovered that in fact there were many thousands of badly wounded men lying in hospitals up and down the country, bored, lonely, and in pain. Miss Cunningham established The “NOT FORGOTTEN” Association with the object of providing entertainment and recreation for the hopelessly war crippled, anything to alleviate the tedium of their lives and give them something to which they could look forward. In 1926 the Association officially defined its task as being ‘to provide comfort, cheer and entertainment for the wounded ex-servicemen still in hospital as a result of the Great War’. As the years went on the Association has adapted to meet changing needs and extended its activities to include those wounded in more recent conflicts. Last year they provided “Entertainment” to over 9,000 people.'

It was an interesting evening and well supported by professionals from the Derby Amputee Rehabilitation Centre and Coalville REHAB Prosthetics. Also members from the Midland Association for Amputees and Friends came along to join our members and their friends to hear this duo speak.

We finished the evening off with a buffet and raffle, and it can be stated that we had many good reports from those who attended. A contribution was made by the club to the Not Forgotten Association in respect of our gratitude to Swifty and John.