In the Media - April
 |
Soldiers charity bid for injured troops Their epic journey will cover 1,100 miles by bike, and on foot they will climb to a total height of 2.1 miles up and down again and they plan to do it all in two weeks from May 4 to 18. They hope to raise over £5,000 for the charity Help for Heroes which supports wounded soldiers and provides practical direct support to those servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Glyn Painter, who is among the team, said: “We've all been on operations where soldiers were injured and we want to make sure their lives are made easier considering the sacrifices they have made. Link: www.eadt.co.uk |
|
|
Chelsy lends a hand to heroes PRINCE Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davy shows her support for British servicemen and women by wearing The Sun’s Help for Heroes wristband yesterday. The blonde law student was spotted near her Leeds university digs with the band. Harry, 23, served in Afghanistan and Chelsy, 22, seemed proud to be backing Our Boys. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
 |
Judges are law unto themselves Last week also saw Judge Andrew Collins rule that it could breach a soldier’s human rights if he was sent into battle with inadequate kit. Of course everyone wants the best for our troops. The Sun’s Help for Heroes campaign shows how much public support there is for our brave men and women doing a dangerous and magnificent job in Iraq and Afghanistan. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
|
Soldier's plea: 'Salute our returning heroes' There will be a Help for Heroes charity soccer match at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, on May 4. The event will raise money for the Forces' Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey, where injured servicemen and women from Kent are treated. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
|
Team Halfords to support war heroes. Team Halfords has announced that it will show its support for the Help for Heroes charity during the third round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship this weekend at Donington Park. The charity, supported by both Prince William and Prince Harry, is raising money to provide support for servicemen and women wounded in war with Team Halfords set to do its bit during the third round of the BTCC to try and raise public awareness and aid the charity in its bid to raise £6 million. Link: www.crash.net |
|
 |
WSO show put back and moved World Sports Organisation (WSO) have been forced to postpone their proposed May 2nd show at the Millennium Hotel. The show will now take place on the 16th May instead at the Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury. Jonathan Feld, WSO director, said "Our sponsor, the MD of Webuypropertiesforcash.co.uk, has had a personal problem and couldn't attend the show for this Friday, nor could his staff and he had committed to some expensive tables. He will be supporting the postponed date thankfully. It's very aggravating but at least it's only a couple of weeks." JJ Ojuederie and Andrew Lowe will battle it out for the Southern Area light-heavyweight title, both have experienced weight problems in the past, but both concluded check weights for the Board of Control last week which provided very satisfactory results. Feld added "Ojuederie has now proved he is definitely a light heavy despite the talk going around that he can't make the weight. It's going to be a great fight between him and Andrew with the possibility of Dean Francis or Tony Oakey for the winner." The show will now be held at the Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury on the 16th May in conjunction with Bruce Baker and in aid of the new war charity 'Help for Heroes'. Link: www.britishboxing.net |
|
|
Heroes’ payouts will be trebled PALTRY compensation payouts for troops crippled in war are to be TRIPLED. The current maximum compo, for soldiers with total and permanent paralysis, is just £285,000, plus a £20,000 annual pension. But an Iraqi teenager scooped £2MILLION after a squaddie accidentally shot him in the back. Defence chiefs have finally accepted that the huge difference between civilian legal suits and official payouts is an injustice, sources revealed. The ministry is now reviewing the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme under orders from Defence Secretary Des Browne. The review, called for in The Sun by Tory leader David Cameron, is expected to result in payouts increasing by at least three times. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
|
Stadium nets shooting stars The Help For Heroes match is being organised to raise money for the Forces' Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey where injured servicemen and women from Kent are sent after being wounded in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The charity is close to the heart of Steve Butler as he is a former soldier, serving for five years before the call of professional soccer. He said: "It will be tremendous to see a few of the old faces in Gillingham, to kick a ball at Priestfield Stadium again and to help raise money for a really worthy cause." Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
|
MP saddles up for epic ride NEWBURY’S MP is slipping into Lycra and setting off on an epic 342 mile bicycle ride around the Normandy battlefields to raise money for wounded servicemen. Link: www.newburytoday.co.uk |
|
 |
The match is being organised to raise money for Help for Heroes, which is aiming to raise £6 million for a swimming pool and gymnasium at the Forces Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey. It is where troops injured in places like Iraq and Afghanistan are sent for rehabilitation after leaving hospital. Many servicemen and women from Medway have spent time there recovering. The Kent organiser for Help the Heroes is Steve Craddock, who hopes to raise £100,000 with a series of events in the county. He said: "I aim to have 6,000 at Priestfield Stadium for the match and the family entertainment we have planned is just as important as the football itself. "We want to make sure everyone in a family can have an interesting day to remember. The karate, dog display and military bands will all compliment each other." Tickets for the event are on sale at Priestfield Stadium and any of the four pubs in Brompton. They cost £5 for adults and £3 for children or OAPs. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
|
Lordswood Area News Lt Wilson was speaking in advance of the Help For Heroes charity soccer match at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, on May 4. The event will raise money for the Forces' Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children and OAPs. Medway Messenger readers can get a £1 discount by using the voucher on this page. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
 |
Wrexham cyclists aim for charity ride up Snowdon Those taking part in the event will be following the Llanberis Path which approximately follows the course of the Snowdon Mountain Railway. It is one of the longer routes (eight miles return), although as the slope is mostly comparatively shallow, it is considered to be the best route to access the summit by mountain bike. A keen cyclist, Kevin decided to undertake the challenge after hearing about the Help for Heroes challenge. The charity raises funds for British soldiers injured in armed conflict. Kevin, along with Clive and David, have all donated to that charity to enter the bike ride and will then raise additional funds for cancer research. Link: www.wrexhamleader.co.uk |
|
|
Solar powered vehicles help raise funds for disabled charities Six charity teams will drive from London to Bath in solar powered vehicles next month to raise money for disabled charities including The Injured Jockeys Fund and Riding for the Disabled. The SolaRola vehicles will be running for The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), Riding for the Disabled, the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust, Help for Heroes, The Calvert Trust and Dorset and Somerset Ambulance. The event has been organised by Annie Maw, high sheriff of Somerset, who is a paraplegic following a riding accident in 2002. Link: www.horseandhound.co.uk |
|
|
Bird ready to soar in Gobi marathon The Major, who is based at the Ministry of Defence's Bulford camp, is running for forces charity Help for Heroes, which supports men and women who return from operations injured. "About four weeks after I chose it one of my friends was injured in Basra," said Bird. "Once he gets out of hospital he will end up in Hedley Court so it is of much greater personal significance to me now." And, because of his fund raising aim, where he hopes to raise over £10,000, Bird is running more than 100 miles a week. |
|
|
An unprecedented focus on the wounded The Sun has just won the Cudlipp Award at the British Press Awards for a campaign led by its defence editor, Tom Newton Dunn, to highlight the plight of the returning wounded. Were they adequately treated in the field? Would they receive decent compensation and support from the government? How good were facilities for them at home? Was anybody thinking about their long-term care? Newton Dunn and his colleagues have turned up scandal after scandal. Link: www.newstatement.com |
|
|
Paint the town red ... & white Ex-England rugby and football skippers Lawrence Dallaglio and Tony Adams and Olympic decathlon legend Daley Thompson posed in front of a St George’s backdrop in the city as they threw their weight behind our Help For Heroes campaign, to raise funds for injured Forces personnel. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
 |
Showing some patriotic spirit In Fernham, near Faringdon, one man spent 32 hours in the pub to commemorate the day. But Wantage-born artist Mark Amis did not touch a drop of beer at the Woodman Inn. advertisement Instead, he created a 2m-wide painting of St George and the dragon. Mr Amis worked from 10am on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday, when his creation was unveiled at a gala dinner. He said: "We will auction the original, plus 250 prints, and hope to raise £5,000 for Help for Heroes, which gives help to troops injured in recent conflicts. Link: www.oxfordmail.net |
|
|
Paintathon to raise money for troops AN ARTIST is hoping to restore a sense of national pride in Swindon by bringing the story of St George to life. Mark Amis, 49, of Croft Road, Old Town, yesterday began work on an original oil painting on a two metre by 1.6m canvas in a 24-hour challenge to raise funds for charity. "I'm very proud of our values and I think our British values have been a great benefit to mankind full stop," he said. "I do feel we don't celebrate St George and England enough so that's really what started it all." The painting, which is being done at the Woodman Inn pub, at Fernham, near Faringdon, will depict St George's legendary encounter with the dragon. Swindon Thamesdown Rotary Club has organised the paintathon event and hopes to raise £5,000 for the Help for Heroes charity, which benefits British service personnel injured in recent conflicts. Link: www.adver.co.uk |
|
 |
Harry hails hero at rehab HQ CARING Prince Harry made a beeline for his wounded war hero yesterday, telling him: “I can’t believe you’re standing up, it’s fantastic.” Royal Marine Ben McBean has made an incredible recovery after losing his left arm and right leg in Afghanistan. Link: www.thesun.com |
|
|
Joss sings for troops ... and pal SINGER Joss Stone will star at a bash for The Sun-backed Help for Heroes campaign – after revealing a pal is serving in Iraq. The soul beauty, who was enlisted by Princes William and Harry, threw her weight behind the event yesterday after lashing out at treatment of injured troops. Joss, 21, said: “My best friend’s boyfriend is out there and it is scary – there’s no guarantee that people will always be safe. Link: www.thesun.com |
|
|
Saracens turn chicken ahead of Munster clash The Saracens first team squad served up a treat at Nando’s in St Albans last week when their culinary and waiter skills helped raise more than £5,000 for three separate charities. The players took over the restaurant last Thursday night and helped to cook and serve the food to more than 350 Saracens fans that came through the door for dinner with a difference. Link: www.saracens.com |
|
 |
Princes visit injured troops in Surrey PRINCES William and Harry have visited injured army colleagues at a Surrey medical rehabilitation centre. Marine Ben McBean, 21, who lost an arm and a leg when a mine exploded in Afghanistan, was among those Prince Harry was reunited with at the Headley Court Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. They were previously on the same flight out of Afghanistan together. The princes met a number of patients during their tour of the facility on Monday, which is just outside the village of Headley, near Dorking. Another was Lance Sergeant Adam Ball, 23, stationed with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in Aldershot. He lost a leg after stepping on an explosive device in Afghanistan and has been at Headley Court for the past six months. "More genuine" "I'm happy that the princes have come today," he said. "It's good that they come and show an interest in what we are doing and see how we are getting on. Link: www.surreyad.co.uk |
|
|
Princes visit injured heroes PRINCE Harry was today reunited with the injured servicemen he dubbed a true 'hero' when they shared a flight home from Afghanistan. He was flown back to the UK for medical treatment at the same time as the Prince was forced to return home after his tour of duty was cut short. Marine McBean is now being treated at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre where Princes William and Harry visited today. The Royals met patients with limited mobility during a private tour of wards at the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre. Today’s visit, which also included a short briefing by a commanding officer, comes ahead of next month’s City Salute event in London. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
|
Harry reunited with marine who lost arm in Afghanistan as he and William meet injured war heroes at rehab centre Prince Harry was today reunited with one of the injured servicemen who shared his return flight from his tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was flown back to the UK for medical treatment at the same time as the Prince was forced to return home. Prince William and Prince Harry both went to the centre just outside the village of Headley in Surrey to speak to injured servicemen and women and lend their support to a planned ceremony in the city of London to support the troops. Link: www.mailonsunday.co.uk |
|
|
Three lakes challenge - part two Two divers have accepted Monty Hall's 'Three Lakes Challenge' and are preparing to dive the highest altitude lakes in England, Scotland and Wales in a 24-hour period. The effort will be in aid of the charity Help for Heroes, which supports servicemen injured in the line of duty. Divers Gino Pulizzini and Dave Rothery, both army warrant officers based at Altcar Training Centre in Liverpool, will carry out the dives over a 24-hour period on 16-17 August this year. The journey will start with Loch Coire an Lochan in the Cairngorms (996m), followed by Red Tarn in the Lake District (718m) and ending with Ffynnon Lloer in Snowdonia (650m). Supported by staff from their training centre, they will nevertheless be carrying their own 40kg packs, which of course become heavier when the kits gets wet. 'We were impressed by Monty and Andy Torbert's achievement, and the cause they chose couldn't be a better one, so we want to keep the tradition going,' Gino said. Gino is appealing for people to sponsor his bid via an online account at www.justgiving.com/hq42nwbdertc Shark's Bay is a popular shore dive, with a sloping beach and reef. The site is close to a busy jetty, where boats transport divers and tourists to nearby dive sites such as Tiran's Jackson Reef. |
|
|
ARMY dogs used in war zones will entertain the crowd at a charity soccer match at Priestfield Stadium early next month. A labrador called Max, who served in Afghanistan, will join Sam, a springer spaniel, who helps to train other dogs at army bases throughout the UK. Both dogs are based at Lodge Hill, Chattenden, with their trainer Cpl Maria Nicholls of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. The dogs are trained to find arms and explosives in military operations. They will perform a series of jumps and see-saw stunts before mingling with the crowd. Cpl Nicholls said: "They do an important job but they are friendly dogs and will quite happily play with youngsters." Their 15- minute routine will be before a soccer match between an All Stars XI and a Royal Engineers side wearing a replica kit from their FA Cup win in 1875. Former England and Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti will manage a celebrity team which will include Kerry Dixon, Gary Chivers, Paul Allen, Dave Beasant and Andy Hessenthaler. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
 |
Cyclist's 350-mile trek to battlefields A FORMER Harrogate Grammar School pupil is cycling around the battlefields of the world wars to support a charity close to his heart. He is one of 300 people completing the five-day expedition. |
|
 |
'The last 20 miles were a bit painful' Territorial Army warrant officer Keith Smith completed the course in four hours 12 minutes. Keith, who lives in Studlands Park, Newmarket, has raised more than £300 for Help for Heroes, a charity which helps wounded, injured or traumatised service men and women returning from current conflicts. |
|
|
Rugby stars tackle grilled chicken THE people of St Albans have a chance to eat a meal cooked by a star rugby player this evening. Members of the Saracens first team will be grilling chicken at Nando's in Chequer Street from 4pm to 10pm. Customers will be asked to make a £5 donation, which will go to Keech Children's Hospice in Luton, the armed forces charity Help for Heroes and the Saracens Sport Foundation. |
|
|
Luton soldier killed in exercise tragedy Private Scott Mugridge, of Farley Hill, was the gunner on top of an army vehicle when it rolled over in an road accident on Monday, killing him and injuring seven other soldiers, according to his family. Family flowers only, donations to Help For Heroes an organisation which helps those who have been wounded in conflict. Link: www.lutontoday.co.uk |
|
 |
Drug hell of fired Apprentice APPRENTICE reject Simon Smith told last night how his life spiralled out of control with drugs and drink after he left the Army. Seven million viewers saw Sir Alan Sugar, 61, give Simon his marching orders last night by telling him “You’re fired!” Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
|
Reliving Basra horrors aids Help for Heroes TWO soldiers who experienced the dangers of life in Iraq at first hand relived their stories at an event in Quarley Village Hall which raised £755 for the Help for Heroes charity. The presentation was given by Major James Bryant and Corporal Tony Burbidge, both of whom serve with the Bulford-based 4 Rifles. Link: www.thisishampshire.com |
|
|
Saracens serve up another near sell out More than 300 people have already booked their places to have their food served and cooked for them by the Saracens first team squad at Nando’s in St Albans on Thursday night - so you’d better hurry up if you want to come along for the night and help raise money for three good causes. Places are now SOLD OUT for the 6-8pm and 8-10pm time slots so if you want your chicken to be cooked by Kris Chesney and served by Richard Hill, there are only places available in the 4-6pm time slot. Link: www.saracens.com |
|
 |
Taxman's perks with no questions asked — Ted Tuppen, sports-mad boss of Enterprise Inns, is taking time out from trying to persuade HMRC to let him convert the company into a real estate investment trust in to take part in a bicycle ride for an injured soldiers' charity. Next month the Enterprise chief executive will join 300 cyclists on a 350-mile ride over five days from Sword Beach in Normandy to the Chelsea Royal Infirmary in London to try to raise £6million for Help for Heroes. Tuppen, who has already raised £22,000, has a particular reason for taking part. His eldest son Tom is a captain in the Gurkhas and recently returned from Afghanistan. So is Tuppen in training? “Yes, although the first time I went out I fell off.” |
|
|
Mr McBean, MRSA And Canada Honours Its Dead At Rush Hour “HARRY HERO GETS MRSA,” says the Sun’s front page, so adding some perspective to the War on Terror and meaning to Royal Marine Ben McBean. Mr McBean is Prince Harry’s hero because Harry says he is a hero. McBean lost an arm and a leg in Afghanistan when a Taliban mine exploded. McBean was taken to Selly Oak NHS hospital, where he was given the best treatment and a dose of MRSA, as is alleged. Link: www.anorak.co.uk |
|
|
Halfords to support servicemen Halfords has joined forces with Help for Heroes, the charity that raises money to support servicemen and women wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. Halfords will support Help for Heroes by raising money in all of its 430 stores nationwide and sponsoring the Halfords Help for Heroes Bike Ride, the signature event that links the battlefields of Northern France with the wounded of today. Link: www.bikebiz.com |
|
 |
Harry Army hero gets MRSA THE Royal Marine hailed a hero by Prince Harry has contracted the hospital superbug MRSA, The Sun can reveal. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
 |
Foot soldiers at the marathon AN ARMY of runners joined the London Marathon yesterday to raise £100,000 for Help for Heroes, the Forces charity backed by The Sun. They were among 35,000 people from every walk of life who ran the 28th marathon for hundreds of good causes. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
|
Officer joins poor bloody infantry Now Everett is doing something about it when she joins the field of 36,300 in the 28th running of the London event. The money she raises today for Help for Heroes (H4H) will go towards a pool at Headley Court, the services rehabilitation establishment in Surrey. Link: sport.guardian.co.uk |
|
|
Rebecca Tomlinson: I’ve always wanted to run the marathon More than 100 marathon runners have signed up to raise money for Help for Heroes (H4H), a charity whose aim is to raise at least £6m to help build a swimming pool and gym complex at Headley Court, the tri-service rehabilitation centre in Surrey. Link: www.timesonline.co.uk |
|
 |
The Royal Heir Force The prince, who is the future head of the armed forces, showed his support for current servicemen by donning a Help For Heroes wristband. The bright blue and red band could be seen poking out of his uniform at the ceremony. The charity was set up in October 2007 to support troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan and aims to raise £6 million to build a swimming pool and gym complex at the soldier rehabilitation centre in Headley Court, Surrey. So far it has raised £4 million. The charity also has the backing of General Sir Richard Dannatt, the current head of the British Army. Link: news.scotsman.com |
|
 |
Double win for Sun’s Tom Along with Andrew Gilligan, the man of the night was Sun defence editor Tom Newton Dunn, who picked up the prize for reporter of the year as well as scoop of the year – for his story revealing US pilots killed British soldier Matty Hull. He also picked up the campaign of the year prize for his series of stories on the treatment of British ex-servicemen, and the Hugh Cudlip award for campaigning popular journalism for The Sun’s Help for Heroes campaign. |
|
|
Severn marathon will help wounded troops A WORCESTER man is set to run the length of the river Severn from source to sea in a bid to raise money for charity. Alistair Bexon said he will be running between 30 and 40 miles every day for a week with friend Nicholas Ross to raise funds for Help for Heroes, a charity that looks after injured servicemen and women returning from duties in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
|
|
Soccer celebrities Rolling back the years for forces' rehabilitation centre FORMER top football players and celebrities will be lending a hand at Priestfield Stadium in May, to raise cash for injured servicemen and women from Medway. And former Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler will be joining them. The Gillingham legend has agreed to play in the charity game next month. The former Gills player and manager will turn out for an All Stars XI against a Royal Engineers team who will be wearing a replica kit from their 1875 FA Cup appearance. The celebrity team will include a number of former Chelsea players such as Peter Bonetti, Kerry Dixon and Gary Chivers. The match on Sunday, May 4, is to raise cash for Help for Heroes that treats injured servicemen and women from Medway. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
|
Prince William's hail for heroes PRINCE William showed his support for The Sun’s award-winning Help For Heroes campaign for service personnel last night. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
|
Saracens to serve up a treat at Nandos The Saracens first team squad will be serving up a charity night at Nando’s in St Albans on Thursday 17th April, with the players cooking, serving and eating with you and your friends and family. The players have given up their time to raise money for their chosen charities – Keech Children’s Hospice in Luton, Help for Heroes, and armed forces charity, and our own Saracens Sport Foundation. So if you like Nando’s, support Saracens and want to enjoy a good night out, then why not come along. You could have your chicken cooked by Kris Chesney, served up by Kevin Sorrell and enjoy the company of Richard Hill at your table to chat with your friends, then this is a night for you. The players will be at the restaurant in St Albans from 5-10pm but you will need to book in advance. To book - Please call Natasha at Nando’s 01727 861018, and visit www.justgiving.com/nandos to secure your booking by making a £5 per person donation. Link: www.saracens.com |
|
|
Penalty kings on the spot against the pros The top youngster will win a football signed by all the celebrities and their school will collect £500 towards sports equipment. The match is being organised to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity, which cares for injured servicemen and women returning from war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
|
Great chance to net top sports prizes FOOTBALL-mad Medway youngsters are being invited to try their penalty-taking skills against some of the country's soccer legends. They will be up against the Wimbledon 1988 FA Cup winning captain and keeper Dave Bessant or the former Wales and Southampton goalie Paul Jones. They will take part in a competition at half-time in an all-stars charity match at Priestfield Stadium on Sunday, May 4. The event aims to boost the funds of the Help For Heroes charity, which raises cash to help injured servicemen and women. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
 |
OVER 50 ENTRIES FOR THE HEAD OF THE DART "He is now planning what he calls his second city row, from Birmingham via the canal system to the Thames, out to sea and across the channel, and through France by canal and the River Rhone to Marseilles which, if it proves feasible, he will be doing next spring to raise money for Help for Heroes, a charity for service personnel disabled in the line of duty". |
|
|
Princes support Britain's heroes at St Paul's pageant Princes William and Harry are backing a major event in the City to support Britain's war heroes. They have lent their support to the appeal - City Salute - which will include a sunset pageant on 7 May in front of StPaul's Cathedral to help raise money for injured servicemen and their families. Prince William, who is patron of the appeal along with Prince Harry, said: "As brothers, we are delighted to be supporting the City of London in saluting all those who serve their country. "As well as raising money for vital rehabilitation facilities, City Salute is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the fantastic contribution made by our servicemen and women and their families. "It is also a chance to pay tribute to the casualty evacuation and medical staff of all three Services who protect and care for the wounded so brilliantly and with such tireless dedication," he said. The event will include the band of the Royal Marines marching through Temple Bar, ceremonial troops and armoured vehicles of the Household Cavalry, an RAF fly-past and a son et lumière at St Paul's Cathedral Link: www.thisislondon.co.uk |
|
|
Twins hotfoot it across Kalahari! TWINS from Warminster are about to embark on a record-breaking attempt to be the fastest to cross the Kalahari Desert on foot. Toby and Harry Mossop, age 20, of Church Street, Warminster, will be embarking on the 645km trip with friends Robert Hemms, 21, from Bath and Alexander Budge, 20, from London. Between June 16 and September 19 the team will drive the length of Africa in a Land Rover Defender. Their aim is to be the first team to cross the Kalahari desert on foot, running half a marathon each per day in blistering heats. |
|
|
Join the band for Heroes Wristband sales and your donations have been incredible — and now we need one big push to reach the first £6million target. This week Help For Heroes won Campaign Of The Year at the British Press Awards, where we also picked up another three gongs. But today we salute YOU, and ask for a renewed effort to build a new gym and pool at forces rehab centre Headley Court in Surrey. Together, in just six months, we have made the troops’ charity a national phenomenon. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
 |
Sun scoops 4 top Press gongs The Sun’s Help For Heroes campaign also won two gongs – the Cudlipp Award, which celebrates popular journalism, and Campaign Of The Year. The appeal, launched in October, has so far raised £4million to support British troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Link: www.thesun.co.uk |
|
|
Marines' event will aid DAAT THIS year's Royal Marines Commando Challenge will help raise money for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. The world famous event, now in its 18th year, has grown from 100 runners in 1990 to 4,000 competitors who helped raise £225,000 last year. Money raised at this year's event - at Woodbury Common, East Devon, October 11 and 12 - will be split between the Trust and Forces charity, Help for Heroes |
|
|
Financial Times wins newspaper of the year The Sun won more awards than any other paper, taking home four - two individual prizes for Newton Dunn, and two more for its Help for Heroes campaign, in which he was a key player. The FT won three awards, as did the Guardian, including best newspaper website. Link: www.guardian.co.uk |
|
|
High speed polo action on beach The first event of its kind in Europe will involve international players showing off their skills in an arena 100m by 50m on the award-winning beach on July 11/12. "It's going to be an incredible event and it's a great beach," said David Heaton-Ellis of organisers Sandpolo. "If we are going to play polo, we should be playing polo on the best beach in England." Approximately 1,000 people will be able to see the three matches each day in which six teams of three players will participate, with a free viewing area on the sea side. "It is an elitist sport, but it has opened up an awful lot in the last 10 years and is now for everyone," he said. The Borough of Poole and residents association are in support, a charity match will raise funds for Help for Heroes and the Army Benevolent Fund and on the Sunday the arena will be used for a Football Focus tournament for youngsters, organised by the police and council. |
|
 |
British Press Awards: Sun wins four gongs The Sun has collected four British Press Awards, including a hat-trick for its defence editor Tom Newton Dunn and two for its “Help For Heroes” campaign. Newton Dunn collected awards for Reporter of the Year and Scoop of the Year. Both awards cited Newton Dunn’s reporting on the incident in Iraq where 25-year-old Lance Corporal Matty Hull was killed by friendly fire from a US plane and the subsequent cover-up. Newton Dunn’s work on the story was also highly commended for the Cudlipp Award, which celebrates popular journalism and was won by The Sun’s “Help for Heroes” campaign. The Sun campaign, which sought donations to support for British troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. also collected the Campaign of the Year award. Link: www.pressgazette.co.uk |
|
 |
Three month charity bike trip A RETIRED Hereford businessman and motorcycle enthusiast is hoping to raise £250,000 for charity when he embarks on a three-month tour of Europe. Andy Trickett and pal Kevin Dixon-Nutt, from Berkshire, have been planning the All The Way Round motorbike trip for five years and will set off from London on Saturday (April 12). Link: www.herefordtimes.com |
|
|
Ex-Gills boss to return for heroes' charity game Gillingham football legend Andy Hessenthaler has agreed to play in a charity game at Priestfield Stadium next month. The former Gills player and manager will turn out for an All Stars X1 against a Royal Engineers team wearing a replica kit from their 1875 FA Cup appearance. The celebrity team will include a number of former Chelsea players such as Peter Bonetti, Kerry Dixon and Gary Chivers. The match on Sunday, May 4, is to raise cash for Help for Heroes that treats injured servicemen and women from Medway. Link: www.kentonline.co.uk |
|
|
Pubco boss cycles 350 miles for charity A pub company boss is cycling hundreds of miles to raise money for soldiers hurt in war zones. Enterprise chief executive Ted Tuppen is joining a 300-strong group of cyclists for a five-day charity ride from Sword Beach in Normandy, France to the Chelsea Royal Infirmary in London. The group, which will travel 350 miles and visit various battlefields en-route, hopes to raise at least £6m for organisation Help for Heroes. The charity funds rehabilitation care for soldiers injured in current conflicts. Tuppen, whose own son is a captain in the Gurkhas said: “With my eldest son Tom having recently returned from Afghanistan, I am more than ever aware of the dangers faced by our soldiers. Link: www.thepublican.co.uk |
|
|
Helping our injured heroes S the bodies of Royal Marine Commandos John Thornton and David Marsh were flown into RAF Lyneham last week, people wept for the fallen heroes. But what many did not know was that arriving with the war dead on Friday were three seriously injured soldiers who were caught up in the same explosion that killed their comrades. With this in mind, serviceman from RAF Lyneham spent the weekend at Swindon's Brunel Centre collecting money for charity group Help for Heroes. "It's the least we can do really. People here know about the tragic losses but not those left seriously injured and in need of extensive medical treatment." said Flight Sergeant Jim Hunter. "We see these soldiers when they return and what they have suffered can be quite horrific." The charity, founded by ex-serviceman Bryn Parry, raises money to support service personnel seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its ultimate aim is to provide a swimming pool and other fitness equipment at Headley Court, a specialist military rehabilitation centre. And people in Swindon made sure Help For Heroes was well on the way to achieving its goal. |
|
 |
Help for Heroes event tomorrow On Saturday 5th April staff at The Brunel in Swindon will be manning a display for Help for Heroes, the charity that Wiltshire couple Bryn and Emma Parry founded for servicemen and women wounded in conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq. Centre Director Nick Beaumont-Jones said he and his colleagues had been moved by the suffering of the brave men and women in the armed forces. "My father was a soldier so I do have some understanding of the risks they face on our behalf every day," says Nick. "When I read that Bryn and Emma had set up a charity to help those who have been wounded in recent conflicts, I immediately saw it was something we at The Brunel should support. Servicemen and women can face tremendous physical and mental trauma when in battle zones and I know that in a strong community like Swindon their enormous sacrifices are recognised and appreciated. |
|
|
Don't panic, it's just for laughs..as Chichester Players prepare for Dad's Army Chichester Players will also be offering two other vintage episodes on stage – Mum's Army, in which Capt Mainwaring has his own Brief Encounter, and The Godiva Affair, in which a pageant is gloriously upstaged. Performances will be at the New Park Centre from Wednesday, April 16 to Saturday, April 19 at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday, April 19 at 2.30pm. Tickets at £8 from the centre box office on 01243 786650, in aid of the Help For Heroes appeal which the Chichester Players saw featured in the Chichester Observer. Link: www.midsussextimes.co.uk |
|
|
Tour of capitals brings biker to Valley Nick Gilroy is traveling to 49 state capitals on his motorcycle for two reasons: to write a book and to raise money for groups that help military veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I'm going to the lower 48 and Juneau, Alaska, and if I have time and energy, I'll fly to Hawaii," he said. Gilroy, from York in northern England, began his six-month journey in February in Tallahassee, Fla. The former Royal Air Force officer was staying for a few days this week in Chandler.He met Chandler Councilman Martin Sepulveda when the two served in Bosnia a decade ago.Sepulveda, a Naval Reserve officer, is currently deployed to Iraq, as is his son, Marc.Gilroy is staying at Marc Sepulveda's home. The two charities he is raising funds for are the Wounded Warriors Project, which helps wounded veterans in the U.S., and Help for Heroes, a similar group in England. Link: www.azcentral.co.uk |
|
 |
Intrepid Explorers Prepare for Journey Through Africa For many of us, running a half marathon would pose enough of a challenge.Imagine then, not only running almost 13 miles, but doing so for eight consecutive days, in blistering heat and across the rough terrain of the Kalahari Desert. That is what 21-year-old Robert Hemms, who lives near Swainswick, and three of his friends will be doing this summer, as part of a three-month expedition to raise money for charity. The four students are planning to drive a Land Rover Defender the length of Africa, setting off from Alexandria in Egypt in June and finishing in Cape Town in South Africa in September. Link: www.thisisbath.co.uk |
|
|
Devizes fundraiser's trek for heroes Former Household Cavalry officer Simon Jacobs is to cycle 350 miles across France in May to raise money for the charity Help for Heroes. But while others in the group of 300 will be taking part in state of the art touring bikes, retired major Mr Jacobs will be riding a Moulton cycle made in Bradford on Avon and more often used by commuters and shoppers. |
|
 |
Fittleworth clay shooters raise £3,000 for Help for Heroes More than 100 keen shots turned out for the second Fitzleroy clay shoot near Fittleworth and raised £3,000 for the Help For Heroes charity. It was three times more than organisers had hoped to raise. |
|
|
Local policeman's marathon effort A BRIDGWATER policeman is ready to take on the gruelling London Marathon to support a cause close to his heart. Community beat manager PC Tony Freeman - an ex-Royal Marine - is running for Help for Heroes, an organisation that supports servicemen and women injured in action. |
|
 |
Link: View March articles | |
 |
Link: View February articles |
|
 |
Link: View January articles |
|
 |
Link: View December articles | |
 |
Link: View November articles |
|
 |
Link: View October articles |
|
 |
Link: View September articles |