This Wednesday night, Andy and I had one of those rare experiences that makes you stop, breathe, and take it all in.
I was thrilled to meet Matt Goss and Andy was over the moon that his scrap art sculpture Bertis raised money for charity in the silent auction!
I was a finalist in the 2025 Soldiering On Awards in the Business Start-Up category, alongside two incredible businesses, Pureendure and Rob Colley’s; Thrival Instinct
We didn’t win, but honestly, just being there felt like winning enough.
When you’ve built something from scratch, or in our case, from scrap, every single step forward feels like a milestone.
Weebert’s World was born from a tiny idea, a little robot made from a vintage camera, some copper wire, and imagination. To see that idea recognised at a national awards ceremony celebrating veterans, their families, and their businesses… it was humbling beyond words.
Around 600 people filled the ballroom, veterans, families, entrepreneurs, and supporters, all with stories that could move mountains. There was so much warmth in that room, so much courage.
To see Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC BEM AE, now 104 years old, honoured for his distinguished service as a Mosquito pilot who flew over 50 missions during World War II, was profoundly moving.
Then came the music, and what a soundtrack to the evening it was.
Matt Goss performed his powerful charity single Not Forgotten, written for the VE Day 80 Commemoration. It filled the room with emotion. And when Christina Johnston sang We’ll Meet Again, you could feel the lump in every throat.
We laughed, we cried, we sang along. I was enthralled with storues from Jon Novelli from his days as agent to the legendary actor Sir John Mills. We witnessed the bravery and commitment of the Gurkhas, and we applauded the awe-inspiring entrance of the Ghanaians, who lit up the night with joy and pride.
It wasn’t just an awards ceremony. It was a celebration of service, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of the veteran community.
Andy was over the moon to have one of his Bert scrap-built sculptures included in the silent auction. The winning bid will help raise funds for the Soldiering On Academy, which supports veterans and their families through enterprise and education. Knowing that something Andy created with his own hands will contribute to that cause means the world to us.
The Berts were born from Andy’s recovery, each one built from scrap and imagination, and seeing one go on to help others start their next chapter felt like a full-circle moment.
We’re so grateful to X-Forces Enterprise, Ren Kapur MBE, and everyone behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to make the event such a success. Their work in supporting veteran-owned businesses is life-changing.
We believe deeply in what we’re building with Weebert’s World, a children’s stop-motion animation brand that gives kids (and their grown ups!) permission to play, explore, imagine, and create, but moments like this remind us how special it is when others believe too.
We were also honoured to be finalists alongside Hayley and Laura from PureEndure and Rob Colley. Watching Hayley and Laura go from strength to strength with their business is incredible, and hearing Rob speak so passionately about his mission to help those who, in his words, have “given everything”, was deeply moving.
If there’s one thing I took away from the night, it’s this:
✨ You don’t always have to win to have made an impact.
✨ You don’t need to be perfect to start.
✨ You just have to begin, with what you’ve got, where you are, and keep going.
From scrap to spotlight, we’re still right at the beginning of our journey, but it’s a journey filled with purpose, gratitude, and heart.
To every veteran, every spouse, every family member turning challenge into creativity: we see you, we stand with you, and we believe in what’s possible.
with love
Lotty x
