Exmoor 30:30 - the ultimate endurance challenge

Hot on the heels of the PARA'S 10 UER (see below) comes The Royal British Legion's Exmoor 30:30 Ultimate Endurance Challenge. Now, Exmoor 30:30 is for the seriously fit: not a mere 10 miles for them, oh no, this is a 30 mile race across tough terrain carrying a 30lb rucksack.

The team race takes place on Saturday 9th October in Exmoor National Park, and with competitors each being asked to raise at least £1,000 for charity, it's a major fundraiser for The Legion and other service charities as well as a personal and a team challenge for those taking part.

The Legion, which provides financial, practical and emotional support to service people past and present and their dependants, is recruiting everyone from office workers to armed forces personnel to take part.

The Exmoor Explorers, who competed on behalf of The Legion, won the inaugural event last year. Team member Peter Govier described the nine hours it took them to complete the route as like “going to hell and back". "It was tough, mentally and physically. We were all fairly fit and knew the area, but the weather was atrocious. The race may be called Exmoor 30:30, but due to circumstances you inevitably end up going further. The Explorers ended up doing 36 miles.”

Russell Thompson OBE, Director of National Events and Fundraising says: “Exmoor 30:30 really is the ultimate challenge and will give civilian participants a taste for the sort of training armed services personnel go through before being sent off to Afghanistan and Iraq. ”

For those wanting to take part, details of the event can be found on their website:

Exmoor 30:30

Paras' 10 - Roger Micklethwaite takes up the challenge

The annual PARA'S 10 event will be taking place this year on Sunday 12th September at Catterick.

Resurrected in 2008 after a 15 year hibernation, this 'ultimate endurance race' will once again be hosted by Pegasus Company, The Parachute Regiment's training and selection wing, and is open to anyone who's up for it and can cough up the £25 entrance fee (there is £250 for the fastest entrant).

Not only is the event a chance for those outside the Regiment to prove how fit they are and to find out what the Paras keep harping on about, it is also an ideal fundraising opportunity.

Last year 2,500 runners took part raising over £100,000 for service charities.

This year Roger Micklethwaite and associates will be taking up the challenge and raising money for The Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity Fund. The Fund helps serving and former members of the Regiment and their families who find themselves in need, hardship or distress.

If you would like to support Roger & Co. and help them raise some money for the Royal Anglians, visit his webpage at

JustGiving: Vikings4ever

Good luck, Roger (you'll need it)!

Operational Welfare Fund fails to capture the public's imagination

It was back in the autumn of 2008 that the then Labour government started to clamp down on the public's wish to send parcels of goodies out to the guys fighting on the frontline.

The reason given for discouraging this very personal and direct show of support for Britain's Armed Forces was that 'unsolicited' parcels "clog up the supply chain and delay parcels from service families getting to their loved ones".

That there is an inadequate transport infrastructure supporting UK forces abroad is due to years of neglect and under-funding by government; it is not the fault of the general public.

The MoD should also bear in mind that a very large percentage (reportedly as high as 20%) of the troops out in Afghanistan do not have family to send them welfare parcels and these guys also need and deserve the morale boost that receiving a parcel from back home can bring. Many small community groups across the country send parcels (not at Christmas but throughout the year) to welfare officers who distribute them to those individuals they know would benefit most.

However, back in 2008 the government was caught in a bit of a dilemma: on the one hand it wanted to engage the public in support for the Armed Forces (cf National Recognition Study) but on the other hand it needed to dampen down any support that was proving inconvenient. The MoD came up with a solution: the Operational Welfare Fund.

Instead of sending parcels of goodies, the public would be instructed to donate money to a central fund. The Fund would be administered jointly by the MoD and SSAFA and the money raised would be used by 'commanders' to purchase items for the troops - solar-powered chargers, boxing kit, wind-up radios, etc. In this way the MoD would be able to manage and direct the flow of public goodwill and perhaps also use some of the money raised to buy equipment it would otherwise have to fund itself.

That the Operational Welfare Fund has failed to capture the public's imagination is clear: only a small number of online donations have made (less than 200) and only a relatively small amount of money has been raised (£37,050) since the Fund's launch in November 2008.

Cameron's Government should recognise that giving the people the right to express their regard, support and thanks to Britain's Armed Forces by making up a parcel and sending it out to someone serving their country abroad is perfectly consistent with the idea of the 'Big Society'.

Perhaps the MoD should consider laying on a couple of extra helicopters.

MoD: Operational Welfare Fund
SSAFA: Operational Welfare Fund
Bmycharity: SSAFA Operational Welfare Fund

Vikings Cup Golf & Family Fun Day

The Forest Hill Golf and Country Club will again be hosting the Vikings Cup and Family Fun Day on Saturday 25th September.

Special prizes will be awarded to the winners of three events: The Vikings Cup, The Chris Gray Memorial Trophy and the Gaz O'Donnell Trophy.

One of the organisers of the event is Mrs Helen Gray whose son, Pte Chris Gray, was killed in action in 2007 whilst serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment ("The Vikings") in Afghanistan.

The event is open to the public and will include The Royal Anglian Regimental Drums, The Black Knights Parachute Display Team, Army climbing tower, military vehicles, rifle shooting range and many other attractions for the whole family.

All monies raised will go to The Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Fund.

Vikings Cup and Family Fun Day

Southend United's Camouflage Day

Southend United Football Club is urging its supporters to turn up in camouflage kit at their match against Torquay United on 4th September to show their support for Britain's Armed Forces.

The Blues' new manager Paul Sturrock came up with the idea for "Camouflage Day" which will include a number of military-themed events - a combat display on the pitch, a special Blue Belles army dance and camouflage face-painting.

Local hero Sgt Billy Moore MC from The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment will also meet the team and tell them about his exploits on the frontline in Afghanistan.

A collection in aid of Help for Heroes will also be held at the ground.

If the Gulls' supporters turn up in combats as well, then both sides will be united in showing their solidarity with the guys fighting in Afghan.

The Blues' boss said: "We all applaud the work that the armed services are doing at home and abroad. It is not just about them but also about the families and the communities they live in who are all affected. This is an opportunity for the football club and its fans to show its support."

Nice one, Paul!

Thurrock Gazette: Southend United fans urged to wear army clothing
Southend United: Salute your Southend

Police students raise £6,500 for Help for Heroes

Students at the Metropolitan Police Academy at Hendon have raised over £25,000 for various charities.

Each intake year raised money for its preferred good cause and students from year 2009/10 chose to donate the money they raised to Help for Heroes - and they raised a massive £6,500!

The police students had organised a number of fundraising activities. One event was a sponsored cycle ride from London to "Kabul" though the students were able to cover the 3,500 miles without actually leaving war-torn Croydon.

The cheque was handed over to Help for Heroes at the passing-out ceremony on March 5th. Sergeant Graham Watson said: "I would like to thank all the students for their support and co-operation in raising this amount of money for this extremely worthwhile cause. It is always an honour to show support for the men and women of our armed forces."

Well done, the Met Cadets!

Metropolitan Police: Police students raise £25,100 for charity

Wolf beer - a beer fit for heroes

A Norfolk brewery has brought out a new beer to raise cash for the Royal Anglian Benevolent Fund.

The new beer, called appropriately "Hero", is being produced by the Wolf Brewery of Besthorpe, Norfolk and for every cask sold £7 will go to the Benevolent Fund.

The Wolf Brewery has 200 pubs on its books and from next month a bottled version of Hero will also be sold in local off-licences and Tesco branches with 10p-a-pint going towards the well-being of local troops and their families.

It was local pub licensee Dougie Clarke who persuaded the brewery to launch the beer after he was inspired by reading a book about his own grandfather, Sgt Frank Clarke, who fought with the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment at the Battle of Mons in 1914.

The Norfolk Regiment was created in July 1881 as the county regiment for Norfolk. It became the Royal Norfolk Regiment in 1935 and was amalgamated with the Suffolk Regiment in 1959 to form 1st Battalion, the East Anglian Regiment. This in turn was further amalgamated in 1964 into the Royal Anglian Regiment. 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, R Anglian retains the name "Royal Norfolk" in honour of this proud regimental history.

Mr Clarke said: “The Norfolk Company of the Regiment returns from a tour of duty in Helmand Province in April and we'll be throwing a party for the boys at [his pub] the Duke of Wellington in early May to celebrate the launch of the beer and their return from the war zone.”


John Edwards, owner of Wolf Brewery, said: “We hope the beer will play its part in demonstrating to our soldiers that we are behind them in the difficult challenge they face in a very dangerous part of the world.”

Sounds like a good excuse for a pint - think I'll just nip round to the pub.

Nice one, Jedward!

Norwich Evening News 24: Pubs to serve new beer to boost Norfolk soldiers
www.wolfbrewery.com/

Royal Anglian Catterick Six - Soldiers walk for Veterans Aid

Six soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment are going to walk the 230 miles from their base in Catterick, N Yorkshire to the Barnet TA Centre in London ...... in 12 days. And they're doing it all to raise funds for Veterans Aid.

The man behind the fundraiser is WOII Danny Morgan and the other five in the team are Cpl Lee Davison, Cpl Gav Watts, Cpl Michael Foster, L/Cpl Dave Murray and Sgt Michael Butcher.

Not content with simply walking the 230 miles, the guys are planning to give it an extra twist by overlaying it with the rigours of a Tactical Advance to Battle (TAB) - i.e. adding in weighted patrol packs and moving at a rapid pace.


They leave the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick on Monday 22nd February and will arrive at Barnet on Friday 5th March. 20 miles a day carrying 45lbs: piece of cake!

“At the end of the day these men and women, who we and Veterans Aid are trying to help, have given the best years of their lives ensuring that the country in which we live stays safe and free from enemies. And now they face the biggest fight of their lives. So I feel that it is only right to show that the bond and the brotherhood upon which the Forces thrives extends beyond the day on which you hand in your uniform.”


All the best, lads!

Man down – help now!

Visit Veterans Aid, click on "Donations" and select Soldiers Walk for Veterans Aid in the 'Additional details - I would like my donation to support' box.

Veterans Aid: Soldiers Walk

Afghan Heroes ask companies to 'Thank a Soldier'

Afghan Heroes, the charity set up last year by mothers of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan, has come up with a new way to let the guys serving in the Army know the Nation's behind them.

The idea behind this Thank a Soldier campaign is to get companies and supermarkets to each donate a job lot of 10,000 units of a particular product which will together make up boxes of comforts. The boxes are to include items such as socks, deodorant, toothpaste, puzzle books, sweets and lip balm.

70 volunteers are on stand-by to start packing the boxes so that they will be ready for distribution to 10,000 troops at the end of June to coincide with Armed Forces Day.

Let's hope Britain's business community can rise to this Xenophon-ic challenge.

Afghan Heroes: Afghan Charity Appeal to Help ‘Thank a Soldier’

All the 4s: Fundraising target exceeded!

Last year's walk through five English counties - 150 miles in 10 days - had aimed to raise £35,000 for The Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity.

As it's turned out the hikers have at the latest count raised over £44,000! This is an amazing achievement for chief organiser Christine Bonner and her team.

It's fitting that 44 thousand pounds has been raised for they called their walk "All the 4s: 4 the boys, 4 the families, 4 the fallen, 4 ever"

Christine said: "People were so kind and it showed us that they really do care about the boys in their County Infantry Regiment - The Royal Anglian Regiment. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

The country's four square behind you, Christine! Well done!

Tickets For Troops: from front line to front row

A new Armed Forces charity was launched last November. Its purpose is to provide free tickets for sporting and entertainment venues to serving members of the Armed Forces and those discharged for injury since 2001.

So far, nearly 40,000 serving and former members of the Armed Services have registered and over 50,000 free tickets have been donated.

Joanna Lumley, one star in the cahrity's galaxy of patrons, said: "This is a win-win arrangement: brave and deserving troops get to see shows, concerts, fights and games: and we in the world of entertainment and sport get a chance to show them that we think they are the best of the best, and support them with all our hearts. Fabulous!!"

Absolutely!

Tickets For Troops

Josh's Climb For Heroes

An intrepid former Royal Anglian, Josh Butcher, will be setting off next month to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Help for Heroes.

Josh served in Op Telic 8 and knows full well the terrible injuries some of his comrades suffered in Iraq and how the work of Help for Heroes has helped their recovery.

As he says: "Having served in the Army in operational environments, I am in a privileged position that I have come back safe and well. Some are not so lucky, including some of my friends. They have suffered horrific injuries and that ultimately affected their futures. Help for Heroes is a charity that aims to help and support our wounded troops and their families. They believe, as I do "that anyone who volunteers to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, is a hero".

Help Josh reach his target of £4,000 by making a donation at: www.justgiving.com/josh-butcher1

All the best, Josh!

Help for Heroes Kilimanjaro Trek - 5th - 14th March 2010
Josh's Blog

Scunthorpe Telegraph: Epic trek to boost Heroes appeal

The Soldiers: Coming Home

Three serving soldiers have formed a pop group that will raise funds for service and ex-service charities including The Royal British Legion, the Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes.

The group, which is simply named The Soldiers, is to release its debut album Coming Home on 26th October.

Trooper Ryan Idzi, Sergeant Major Gary Chilton and Sergeant Richie Maddocks plan to fit in their

music around their commitments to the Army. All three have served on the frontline and could get called for duty at any time.

Ryan has already tasted fame when he appeared on The X Factor in 2007 but he says: “I'm glad I didn't go any further than I did. I would never have had the chance to sing with these lads if not."

Richie Maddocks said: "The entire album is about comradeship. We want the public to buy this, but first and foremost it is songs for soldiers and songs that soldiers will relate to." It's not surprising, then, that the album includes The Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends, Ben E King's Stand By Me and The Hollies' He Ain't Heavy.

As well as the album release in October, The Soldiers will be making their live debut at the Festival Of Remembrance at The Royal Albert Hall in November.


Good luck with the album, lads! A Christmas No.1!

BBC: Soldiers sing to remember fallen

The Sun: 3 Soldiers win record contract
Royal British Legion: Soldiers form new band to raise funds for RBL
You Tube: X Factor 4, ep 2, Ryan "Lean on Me"
Facebook: The Soldiers
Twitter: The Soldiers

Afghan Heroes: A mother's legacy

The mothers of eight soldiers who were all killed in Afghanistan over two grim days in July, have joined forces to launch a new charity, Afghan Heroes, aimed at supporting UK servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan and at helping bereaved familes.

The launch statement says:

"The mother of a soldier who died in an explosion in Afghanistan in July has today (September 15, 2009) set up a charity to provide support for those directly involved in the conflict.

"In the same 24 hours in July eight servicemen in Afghanistan were lost and their mothers today joined together to launch Afghan Heroes.

"The charity aims to help the families of those who have fallen as well as providing support for those on the front line and returning service personnel who have witnessed the horrific losses of their fellow brothers.

"With more than 210 deaths in Afghanistan among British troops Denise Harris from Somerset, whose son Corporal Lee Scott lost his life while taking part in Operation Panther's Claw in Helmand Province, believes the time has come for a specialist charity to support soldiers and their families affected by events in Afghanistan."

The new organisation intends:

• to support all our service personnel operating in theatre in Afghanistan;
• to provide the much needed “home comfort“ supplies and gifts to those service personnel;
• to promote and embrace a new initiative “Thank A Soldier” to ensure our soldiers know they are not alone;
• to set up support and regional network groups for the families of the fallen and to organise charity events so they can come together.

In its support for returning soldiers, Afghan Heroes will

• provide emotional, psychological help through support groups for all returning soldiers and families of the fallen;
• help with vocational training, including: IT equipment, computers and printers;
• assist other minor charities in their work; and
• create a lasting legacy in support of our operations in Afghanistan.
  

Good luck to all involved in such a good cause!

Afghan Heroes: a chairty supporting British forces in Afghanistan
The Sun: Soldiers' mums launch charity

Army Benevolent Fund to get new identity

The Army Benevolent Fund has appointed the design agency Dragon Rouge to give it a new image.

According to Joe Hale of Dragon Rouge, the Army's crest of a lion and two crossed swords "can be hard for some potential audiences and donors to understand".

Emma Harvey, director of fundraising and communications for the ABF, said: "The current identity is not very strong and it needs a refresh – it needs to appeal more to a younger audience and also to potential donors".

Ms Harvey goes on: "The new identity will have to have impact and it will need to be obvious what the charity is about."

The new branding will be applied to all the ABF’s regional and national communications and fundraising campaigns and is expected to be launched in spring next year.

Personally I can't think of anything clearer than the Army's logo and the words "Army Benevolent Fund - Supporting the Best" - but then what do I know? I suppose a "younger audience" can't read so well these days and spending £100,000 or so on rebranding may well attract new "potential" donors.

Design Week: Dragon Rouge to rebrand Army Benevolent Fund
Dragon Rouge: The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) has chosen Dragon Rouge to create a new identity.

Essex firefighters raise funds for Help for Heroes

Firefighters from across Essex held charity car washes last weekend to raise money for Help for Heroes.

The sunny weather meant the firemen were mobbed from the off, as the public turned up in droves at stations across the county to pay a donation to have their vehicles cleaned.

Justin Benson-Ryke, station officer at Southend fire station, said: “It really is a fantastic charity. We risk our lives in our job, but that is nothing compared to what soldiers in Afghanistan go through.”

Well done, the Firefighters of Essex!

Southend Echo: Car wash to help the heroes

Smiles Across the Miles: 1,200 parcels sent ... and counting

Smiles Across The Miles is one of the many "shoebox" groups which have sprung up over the country in recent months, keen to show their support for the guys and gals fighting out in Afghanistan by sending out parcels of goodies and messages of encouragement.

Smiles Across The Miles is based in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex and has already sent over 1,200 parcels to the frontline. The parcels are sent to welfare officers out in Afghanistan who then distribute them as they think fit, particularly to those who perhaps have no family back home in the UK to support them.

As far as Smiles is concerned the contents of the parcels are collected from a number of sources. People can drop off stuff at their local Co-op shop for later collection; local charities and associations (eg Southend's Naval and Military Club pictured above right) hold special fundraising events; local care homes host special collection and packing days; and the Smiles group itself has a fundraising stall at any local event going - Southend Airshow, Armed Forces Day, Basildon Festival, to name but a few.

Caroline Gladwin, head of the group, said: "It is so lovely when we meet soldiers who have received our parcels. We always ask people for feedback so we can make sure the things we are sending are what they need".

Receiving parcels and letters from home is a definite morale booster.

Well done, Caroline and all the team!

Southend Echo: Caroline brings a smile to our fighting forces

Smiles Across The Miles website

"All the 4s" walk for The Royal Anglians started

Christine Bonner, the mother of Cpl Darren Bonner of 1 R ANGLIAN who was killed in Afghanistan, soldiers from the Regiment and other supporters yesterday began their 150 mile walk to raise funds for the Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Fund.

The walk set off from Kirton on North Lincolnshire's coast and over the next 10 days will pass through the Regiment's home counties of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and will finish in Hertford next Sunday.

Each day they will end their day's hiking in Lincoln, Grantham (15th), Belvoir Castle (16th), Leicester (17th), Northampton (18th), Bedford (20th), Harpenden (21st) and Stevenage (22nd) and end up in Hertford Town Centre on Sun 23rd.

Donations can be made on the All the 4s website

Well done , Christine and all involved!

BBC: Soldier son remembered with walk
The Mirror: Walk for Royal Anglians

Parachute Regiment Association: Southend to Colchester Hike for Heroes

About 20 members of Southend branch of the Parachute Regiment Association will be walking 40 miles to raise money for Help for Heroes.

The walk will take place over two days on August 29th and 30th.

You can make a donation by going to:

http://www.justgiving.com/seessexpra/

Royal Anglian Regiment: All the 4s sponsored walk

After the most successful ‘100 Miles for 9 Smiles’ walk in 2008 in aid of The 1 R ANGLIAN Afghanistan Memorial Appeal, Mrs Christine Bonner, mother of Cpl Darren Bonner who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2007, has decided to organise another sponsored walk in aid of The Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity.

The aim of All the 4s is to walk 150 miles in 10 days and through 5 Regimental counties, in order to raise funds for The Royal Anglian Regiment Benevolent Charity.

The Benevolent Charity provides support and financial help to current and former members of the Royal Anglian Regiment and their families who are in need, hardship or distress. Grants totalling £73,000 were distributed to over 250 cases last year alone; some examples of that support been given can be seen on the All the 4s website.

If you like to make a donation or join the walk, visit the website below.

Good luck, Christine and all involved!

http://www.allthe4s.co.uk/
EDP24: Tragic mum's new bid to help soldiers