The Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Ross Garrod, has announced that Navy Veteran, Councillor Nedra Daniel, has been appointed as Merton’s Armed Forces Champion, taking over the role from former Cllr Dennis Pearce.
The Armed Forces Champion has the responsibility to be a voice, advocate and first point of contact in the council for our Armed Forces community. This includes veterans, serving personnel, reservists and military families. The role also involves promoting the Armed Forces Covenant – to which the council is a signatory – as well as raising awareness of obligations under the Armed Forces Act 2021, the NHS constitution and other relevant legislation.
Cllr Daniel comes to the role with a wealth of first-hand knowledge and experience of what it is to be a member of the Armed Forces community, having served in the Royal Navy from 2007 to 2017. Born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, she moved to the UK aged 25 in order to join the Royal Navy. Across her decade of service, she was posted to three seagoing vessels – HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious and HMS Defender.
Her appointment comes ahead of our annual Armed Forces Day parade, which this year will be held in Wimbledon Village on Saturday 27 June. Led by the Royal British Legion, a parade consisting of military personnel and their families, cadet and youth organisations, and veteran associations will march from Lingfield Road to the War Memorial from 12 noon. At the War Memorial there will be speeches, followed by live music and a community picnic on Wimbledon Common from 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come down to show support for service members, past and present.
Cllr Nedra Daniel said:
“It’s an honour to become the Armed Forces Champion for our Armed Forces community here in Merton. Ten years in the Royal Navy helped to shape my values of discipline, integrity and resilience, but it also has given me insight into the unique challenges faced by servicemen and servicewomen – past and present.
“I know that it can be hard for those that have served and their families to access the housing, health, employment and wellbeing support they need, and I intend to tackle that problem. My aim is to ensure that no one who has served or supported someone who has served feels overlooked or disadvantaged.”
Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council, said:
“Anyone who knows Councillor Daniel understands how deeply she cares about those who have served their country. Her ten years in the Royal Navy make her the perfect candidate for the role of Armed Forces Champion.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to our former colleague Dennis Pearce for his years of service in the role, and Cllr Shuile Syeda for her support over the last year.”