Dear H4H Supporter,

I have just heard that the Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2010 has raised over £1m, or £1,019,004.04, to be more precise. That is about £3000 for each mile we rode across Northern France and the money is still coming in. That is wonderful and I’d like to thank all those who took part, as well as all those who have made it such a success; thank you.

The Bike Ride was just one of hundreds of events that are taking part each week as people across our country do their bit to help our boys and girls. Each event creates a splash, involves those who are participating but also ripples out through all those who support the event, touching the lives of millions. You may think your event is small, but when you add up all the small events, you have a national movement. In May, H4H was mentioned in the press or media 2,265 times, by far the most mentioned charity. That is extraordinary and just shows how many people are involved.

Why are we getting this coverage and why are so many people supporting H4H? I think it is very simple; people care about our young men and women who are serving and they want to help those who are injured while doing so. There is no underlying criticism or political point to be made, people just want to ensure that our boys and girls get the very best and they are prepared to do their bit to ensure that happens.

The money raised for H4H is ‘new’ money; funds raised by people that would not have been motivated by any other cause, additional funds. H4H is not taking away from the other service charities, it is adding to the net income and in many cases we are directly funding their work.

People just want to help; it is very simple. You decide what you want to do, (keep it legal, safe and decent) register it on our website and then get on and raise money. If you use our Bmycharity.com online donations site, then every penny you raise comes to the cause, not to pay costs. Our administrative costs too are covered by our Trading Company sales. That’s it, simple and very effective; you do something, raise money, send it to us and we will ensure that it is used, every penny of it, to provide direct, practical support to our wounded.

It is humbling to read emails like the one below; the writer has experienced the trauma of having his brother grievously injured but now he wants to do something to help others. He is one of thousands like it, just ordinary, decent people moved to help, thinking about what they can do; really humbling.

"Dear Help for Heroes, firstly I would like to thank you for all the hard work in supporting our troops and their families in these troubling times we live.

I am the elder brother of a soldier who has just returned (severely injured) from serving in Afghanistan, and spent the last two weeks at the Selly Oak hospital (now the magnificent new Queen Elizabeth hospital) in Birmingham.

Me and my family have experienced first hand, like many other families, the sheer horrors of war and what it does. However we have also seen the sheer bravery, dedication, love, devotion and generosity that all the army, troops and medical personnel give on a day to day basis.

It is on this note myself, and many others in my and other families, would like to contribute to raising funds towards your charity…"

There is so much further to go. We need to harness this simple desire to ensure that our wounded boys and girls get the very best support for the rest of their lives. It is our duty to ensure that the funds raised are spent to best effect; this is a once in a generation opportunity to change for the better. We must join together with the Armed Forces, the Government and local Government, the Service Charities and all the ordinary, decent people who care and together, we must make the lives of our blokes better; we owe them that.

Keep going, do your bit!

Onwards and upwards!

Bryn