'The public's kindness has changed the lives of veterans,' says Evening Standard owner

The Evening Standard’s owner, Evgeny Lebedev, yesterday thanked everyone whose generosity has made our Homeless Veterans campaign the paper’s most successful ever Christmas appeal.

“When we made Homeless Veterans the subject of last year’s Christmas appeal across this newspaper and its sister titles I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we hit £1 million?’ But I didn’t think we’d do it,” he said.

“Yet now we have. This is nothing less than an astonishing achievement. I want to extend my deep personal thanks to every reader of this newspaper who donated and also to António Horta-Osório and his team at Lloyds.

“Their generosity in giving £300,000 to a cause I know they care passionately about has catapulted us from £700,000 to that frankly remarkable £1 million. Because of your kindness, we have changed the lives of people who have served this country overseas but fell on hard times when returning to civilian life. We have a duty to them and thanks to you we are now fulfilling it much better.

“There is still work to do of course but this paper’s campaign has brought hope to countless veterans. I’m so proud about that — and hope you are too.”

Donations poured in as we told the heartbreaking stories of veterans such as Justin Heath, who had to live in a tent after leaving the Forces; Jocky Stewart, made homeless following 22 years of military service; and Ben Thompson, whose “house” was a hand-made shelter.

António Horta-Osório, chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, said: “The Evening Standard campaign will help improve the lives of those men and women of the Armed Forces who have risked their lives to serve us all.

“Lloyds Banking Group is deeply honoured to add its ready support to this important cause.”