"It’s about the blokes, our men and women of the Armed Forces. It’s about Derek, a rugby player who has lost both his legs, it’s about Carl whose jaw is wired up so he has been drinking through a straw. It’s about Richard who was handed a mobile phone as he lay on the stretcher so he could say goodbye to his wife. It’s about Ben, it’s about Steven and Andy and Mark, it’s about them all. They are just blokes but they are our blokes; they are our heroes. We want to help our heroes."
The Opening of the Help for Heroes Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court
“Very occasionally – perhaps once or twice in a generation – something or someone pops up to change the entire landscape. Help for Heroes, under the magnificent and brilliantly quirky leadership of the mad cartoonist, Bryn, and his equally inspirational wife, Emma, is one such phenomenon. What it has achieved here at Headley Court is, in truth, but the tip of the iceberg. Help for Heroes has galvanised the entire British people. Always supportive of its men and women in uniform, this country has been elevated by Help for Heroes to a state of realisation and proactive support for our military that has made me, personally, very, very proud to be British, and a member of our Armed Forces.”
His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales
Extract from his speech at Headley Court, 4th June 2010
Only a few places left on the H4H Kilimanjaro Trek September 2010; sign up and secure yours now!
A life affirming opportunity to climb the WORLD'S tallest self standing mountain whilst raising life changing funds for our wounded Servicemen and women. This 10 day challenge follows the Machame Route which will take you through some of the most stunning terrain in Tanzania. Experience the thick forests, moorlands, scree, and spectacular views that this country has to offer. Push yourself physically and mentally to achieve something truly extraordinary.
This is a once in a lifetime chance to achieve something truly memorable and support our wounded at the same time.
We can help you every step of the way with both your sponsorship and training, the only thing we can’t do is climb it for you!
To read more and sign up click here or alternatively call Katy Leacy on 01980 846 459. Fundraising targets apply.
About Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes (H4H) was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a profoundly moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital in the summer of 2007. Bryn and Emma met some extraordinarily brave young people who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help.
The charity was launched in October 2007 and, with the backing and support of celebrities, including Jeremy and Francie Clarkson, the Royal Family, the media and countless ordinary decent people, it has raised over £1m a month since then.
Help for Heroes is strictly non-political. We have no affiliation with any political party and we do not endorse the use of our name for the promotion of any political viewpoint. The money that we raise at Help for Heroes is used to support wounded Servicemen and women of every colour and creed and we strongly oppose any individual or political party who believes otherwise, and those who seek to use the charity’s name for their own political gain.
Read about our wonderful team in Downton and Tidworth . . .
The message is simple: H4H does not seek to criticise or be political, we simply want to help and to do so by asking everyone to do their bit to raise money. Once that money is raised, we go to the experts in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force for guidance as to how best to spend it. It is our intention to spend all we raise on the practical, direct support of those wounded in the service of our country since 9/11.
Read about our Headley Court Project . . .
We give capped grants to those charities and groups best able to provide the facilities and services we want our men and women to have. We do not deliver individual benevolence, as that is the work of existing Service Charities which we work very closely with.
Read our Annual Review . . .
When we began, we wanted to ensure that we would be as efficient as possible so our policy is money in and money out. We are not trying to build large reserves, we want your money to be used and quickly. We have either spent or allocated £34m to date on facilities and services. We can spend all we get, so don't stop!
We set up H4H Trading to sell products and the profits from these sales mean that we can cover all of our operating costs and donate the extra to the charity, so rest assured, currently if you give us £10, £10.10 will go to the cause…. and that is better than any other charity we know of.
We are working hard to raise more money and we are passionate about what we are doing. It is needed, it is appreciated and we are making a real difference to the lives of some extraordinary young men and women. Please join us in helping our Heroes.
Thank you
The Help for Heroes Team
How we spend your money
Some examples of how your donations have been spent.
Headley Court: The £8m Help for Heroes Rehabilitation Complex at the TriService Rehabilitation centre in Epsom, Surrey, is under construction and due to open in the spring of 2010.
Combat Stress: We are funding the £3.5 extension to the treatment centre at Leatherhead and the complex will be finished in May 2010.
Norton House: We have contributed £500,000 to SSAFA - Forces Help, towards the provision of a Relative's House at Selly Oak. The house is a 'home from home' for the relatives visiting their loved ones in hospital. The house opened earlier this year and has been a resounding success.
Battle Back: We fund Battle Back, the military initiative based at Headley Court, that enables the wounded to enjoy adventure training and many of them are now training to compete at international level.
Troop Aid: We support Troop Aid who supply all of our wounded with a grab bag of essentials to make their stay at hospital more comfortable.
Skill Force: We have provided funds to enable rehabilitating servicemen to undergo an internship and learn new skills working with and inspiring schoolchildren.
Not Forgotten Association: A grant of £60k all ring-fenced for post 9/11 injured and or with disabilities and 50% of the grant specifically to support the participation of servicemen and women (including staff carers where necessary) from DRMC Headley Court, including a proportion of the event overhead.
Blesma: We have provided funds to go towards funding four adventurous events organised by BLESMA, including a transatlantic yacht race, a ski trip to Colorado, ski bobbing in Austria and the 2009 Fastnet challenge.
Launch Pad to Life: Help for Heroes are delighted to announce that we have been able to raise the £20m we pledged in March 2009 to help pay for the four Personnel Recovery Centres (PRCs).
So, what next? The Recovery Pathway is all about making the most of each person's potential. It's not about what they can't do, but it is about what he or she can do. Therefore, everyone on the path will be assessed as to their potential and ambition and then helped to achieve their best. H4H will be part of that process and we have announced our intention to raise a further £20m to fund the IRPs. Our funds will be directed to support the individual as he or she progresses along the road to recovery and will fund courses and opportunities that will equip the wounded for their futures.
Thank you
The Help for Heroes Team
