Duncan's Band of Brothers
We are thrilled to support Duncan's Band of Brothers in their exciting mission to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation and Bears Army! Logan and Steve have worked tirelessly at the Sarissa warehouse for a manic fortnight, finishing the last piece of Duncan's commissioned table that turned out spectacular. This stunning centrepiece became a vibrant hub for families, immersing them in thrilling World War II-inspired games while also shedding light on the incredible charitable efforts of Duncan's Band of Brothers.
After Games Expo 2024 Duncan Wasdell posted:
To help mark the start of the 80th Anniversary remembrance celebrations, it has been an honour and a privilege to have been invited to present the completed "Band of Brothers" inspired Normandy Bolt Action boards at the UK GAMES EXPO. With well over 30,000 attendees over the event's 3 days, it is the largest table-gaming show in the UK.
Attending the Expo again this year has given us the prefect opportunity to reveal the 4th and final section of the monster build, and all 4 sections together for the first time. The final section is dominated by the centre-piece of the whole 16ft x 4ft Mega-board, a superb "gameplay-adapted" rendition of the Brécourt Manor House and compound, beautifully crafted by Geoff Lacey on top of a new MDF kit, designed and produced by Sarissa Precision Ltd, who also produce the ruined town buildings adapted on the Town board section.The Duncan's Band of Brothers team have been running short intro skirmish games on each of the 4ft x 4ft sections over the first 2 days, with experienced players happy and eager to help beginners of all ages. More experienced players also had the opportunity of playing their own short games on the individual sections too.Tomorrow, for the first time, all four sections will be run together as a single huge participation game.All this while raising funds and awareness for two great UK kidney-related charities.
Duncan's Band of Brothers
Duncan's Band of Brothers is an extraordinary group of wargamers on a mission to turn their hobby into a force for good! They showcase stunning gaming boards at thrilling events to raise funds and awareness for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Through Bears Army, they bring joy to children's renal hospital units by donating paint and models, giving young patients a creative and uplifting outlet. This isn't just wargaming; it's a heart-warming adventure of passion, creativity, and making a real difference in the world!
The National Kidney Federation
The NKF, the largest kidney health organisation in the UK, supports two million people with Chronic Kidney Disease and 60,000 end-stage kidney failure patients. They offer a National Kidney Patients Helpline (0800 169 0936), providing medical information and advice, and handling around 200 calls weekly.
Combining Passion and Purpose
Inspired by his childhood hobby and passion for history, Duncan sought to raise funds for the NKF. He commissioned a 16ft x 4ft wargaming table from a professional terrain-maker and YouTuber. Videos of its construction have garnered over a million views, boosting awareness for the NKF.
Anniversary of D-Day.
Logan's son, Bear, was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2021. With the help of Duncan and the NKF three years ago, Bears Army began at the Games Expo with a mission to support children and families dealing with kidney disease through the joy of tabletop gaming. In 2024, they showcased their efforts and celebrated the anniversary at Games Expo. The table they created then went to the Overlord Museum in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Supporting Bear’s Journey
Making Gaming Accessible Bears Army distributes donated, primed armies to families in need to combat the high cost of tabletop gaming. Subscribers to Logan’s email list receive these donations regularly, making the hobby more inclusive. Partners like Warlord Games have donated 500 miniatures to support this cause.
Educational Outreach
Through Duncan, the NKF and Bears Army aim to support schools, especially Special Educational Needs (SEN) groups, by providing models to make history lessons interactive and fun—Duncan dreams of bringing gaming boards to schools to enhance hands-on learning.
Looking Ahead
As Bears Army celebrates its third anniversary, it continues to make a positive impact through the power of tabletop gaming. Here's to many more years of bringing joy and support to families, one miniature at a time.
If you want to recreate Brécourt Manor from Duncan's table, check out our Normandy Manor and other kits from the World War Europe range.
