Regimental Charity of the Royal Dragoon Guards

The Regimental Charity of the Royal Dragoon Guards, formally registered on 13 July 1992 with over a century of regimental mutual aid traditions from antecedents like the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, exists to relieve need, hardship, distress, and illness among current and former Regiment members and their dependents. Rooted in values of loyalty, duty, welfare, and comradeship, it has dispensed over £1 million in direct support, often partnering with national military charities like the Army Benevolent Fund, SSAFA, and Royal British Legion to promote general welfare, esprit de corps, and regimental pride through a volunteer-led, confidential, need-led approach.

It prioritizes financial aid for poverty relief, health and disability needs, housing and accommodation, elderly/disabled veterans, mental health initiatives (e.g., Connect V Dragoon digital project for Afghanistan/Iraq veterans), medical equipment, mobility adaptations, respite care, educational/training support, and regimental events/publications fostering cohesion—all exclusively benefiting the "regimental family."

Eligibility is tightly restricted to Regiment members, antecedents, and immediate dependents; no unsolicited applications from external organizations, with referrals only via welfare partners conducting needs assessments. No income/size thresholds or religious/geographic restrictions beyond England/Wales operations (branches in Cumbria, London/South East, Northern Ireland, Oxford, West Yorkshire, York). Typical grants range £500–£5,000 for individuals or regimental-linked groups, awarded on a rolling basis with rapid trustee decisions (weeks), covering emergency relief, projects, core costs, or capital at discretion.

Unlike open funders, it excludes unrelated causes or general charities, distinguishing itself as a regimental safety net—stewarding military heritage while providing sustained, crisis-responsive support to maintain dignity and belonging in the RDG community.