Vaughan’s passion is independent journalism, championing the thousands of freelancers who risk their lives on battlefields around the world. The current focus is Ukraine.
From 12:00 noon UK Time
At Goldster Purpose, Passion, Grit
Vaughan Smith’s astounding life has taken him from being an army officer, serving in Northern Ireland and Cyprus, a Microlight test pilot and a war cameraman who has been shot at more times than he can remember. In one battle, a bullet heading for him smashed into his mobile phone, saving him from serious injury. Vaughan’s passion is independent journalism, championing the thousands of freelancers who risk their lives on battlefields around the world. The current focus is Ukraine. His purpose is to make sure they are safe as can be. His grit has been buckling down and, 20 years ago, founding the Frontline Club in London’s Paddington.
In the Frontline, Vaughan has created a gathering place, a restaurant and watering hole for war correspondents, politicians, aid workers, movers and shakers from around the world. He brings restaurant produce from his mixed organic farm on his family’s three centuries old Ellingham Estate in Norfolk. It was there, in 2011, that Vaughan gave sanctuary to Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, accused of publishing classified American information and is now in custody fighting extradition. Vaughan’s current passion is the safety of Ukrainians reporting on the war there. He and other war veterans are in Ukraine giving hostile environment training to those men and women behind the scenes who bring to our homes the stories and pictures telling the truth of this dreadful war. Without them, we would know little or nothing. Such training costs thousands. Vaughan and the Frontline Club are raising money to give it for free.
Join Humphrey Hawksley with Vaughan Smith to hear his unique story on Purpose, Passion and Grit Tuesday, November 15th 2022.
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