Help for Heroes - 7th May City Salute
Royal Patrons: HRH Prince William of Wales and HRH Prince Henry of Wales.
The City of London thanks British troops and their families for the sacrifices they make on our behalf, through an Appeal and a special Pageant.
The sunset pageant in front of St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday 7th May 2008 will be a celebration of the qualities of our Servicemen and Women: their courage, modesty, toughness, and humour.
The event is a very personal tribute, being organised by the men and women of the City to demonstrate their admiration for the Armed Forces - who are in many cases their friends and neighbours, or their own relations. City Salute is not about foreign policy – it's about people, about the members of our society who choose to serve, and to go cheerfully and uncomplainingly wherever they are sent on our behalf; and about the families they leave behind here at home.
This dramatic evening event will be no ordinary military pageant: it will see the Band of HM Royal Marines marching through Temple Bar; the ceremonial troops of the Household Cavalry; a fly past and aerial display by the RAF; along with some stunning moments of theatre, and a spectacular light show projected onto St Paul’s Cathedral.
Crowds around St Paul’s and in Paternoster Square will witness this dramatic display, including a series of specially commissioned short films relayed onto giant screens. If you would like to show your support for our troops, then please donate by clicking below, or click on the Donate Now button on the left.
Help for Heroes was launched on October 1st 2007 as a response to a desire to do something practical to support the wounded from the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Our initial target is to raise £6 million to help build an urgently needed swimming pool and gym complex at Headley Court, the Tri service rehabilitation centre, and then to go on to tackle other projects in direct support of our wounded. With the help of the media, national celebrities and a great number of dedicated volunteers, Help for Heroes has been a phenomenal success and has helped inspire thousands of people to do something to show their support for our Servicemen and women. All over Great Britain, people are doing something, ‘doing their bit’, to show that they care and appreciate our young men and women who risk everything in the service of our country.
Help for Heroes is strictly non political and accepts that while we are unable to prevent wars and their terrible effects, we are able to make a real difference to those who bravely serve and are wounded while doing so.
City Salute is a wonderful initiative and we are so grateful for the support of the City institutions and know that our Servicemen and women will greatly appreciate this as further proof of the country’s concern and affection for them.
We would like to thank all who have been involved in this idea and the making of it into a reality. We know how much drive and enthusiasm has gone into it and we are very grateful to everyone who has played a part.
Bryn Parry, Appeal Chairman
“ I wholeheartedly welcome this brilliant initiative. Funds raised by Help for Heroes will enable the British people,and friends overseas, to offer practical support for our wounded servicemen and their families. For example, our outstanding Tri-Service Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court urgently needs a new gym and full-size swimming pool complex, funds raised by Help for Heroes will help build it. I urge you to support the Big Battlefield Bike Ride and other initiatives that make up this campaign and so support our wounded heroes.”
General Sir Richard Dannatt
"The guys who get badly wounded and lose limbs – those are the real heroes."
Prince Harry, Helmand Province, Afghanistan