By TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
Published: 24 Nov 2007
The Sun
Give money to the new Help For Heroes charity by buying these £2 wristbands. The charity aims to give wounded British soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan better hospital treatment when they return, better housing and accomodation and anything else that we owe our heroes. The British Army is currently seeing the worst casualty figures since 1982
Great to be home ... a hug for Captain Mark Blackman
Joy ... Sgt Ed Pashley with wife and kids
Pride ... Major Mark Spandler and family
THE Lions of Basra returned home to Britain last night to be greeted by delighted loved ones.
Major Mark Spandler, 37, said: “It’s fantastic to be back in time for Christmas.”
Embraced by wife Isobel, 37, and son Jasper, four, he went on: “I can’t wait to get home and spend some time with my wife and my little boy. We’ve got a lot to celebrate.”
Sgt Ed Pashley, 32 – met by wife Emma, 32, and children Chelsea, nine, and Troy, four – said: “I can’t explain how good it feels to be back and to see my family again. I think all the lads can’t wait to put their feet up and sip a cold beer.”
Click HERE to support our campaign by making a donation or buying a wristband
Little Troy beamed: “Seeing daddy again is the best thing ever. It’s better than Christmas and birthday.”
There were more smiles as Captain Mark Blackman greeted his children and grandchildren.
The 4th Battalion, the Rifles Battle Group, had held the last British base in Basra against a huge rebel onslaught.
In a three-month stand at Basra Palace, the Rifles endured 2,000 mortar and rocket attacks, 100 roadside bombs and 400 rocket-propelled grenade strikes. The base was handed over to Iraqi control in September and the troops moved out to the city’s airport.
In total they had 11 killed and 62 wounded on tour – more than any other unit in Iraq.
Click HERE to print out your wristband coupon to support our troops
Families waited in the freezing cold to greet the infantry. To show support for our Help For Heroes appeal, ALL the loved ones wore wristbands at Picton Barracks, Bulford, Wilts.
The 500-strong battalion’s CO, Lt Col Patrick Sanders, said: “I’ve never before had the privilege to fight with such a magnificent bunch.”
Hugged
Hero: A British soldier in Iraq
But celebrations were tinged with sadness. Two troops from the battalion were killed on Wednesday in a car crash, one just hours after returning home.
Tributes, flowers and cards in memory of L/Cpl Nathan Long, 22, and L/Cpl Paul Knight, lined the fences leading to the base.
Sgt Steve Pearce, 35, hugged wife Angela, 37, son Martyn, 13, and daughter Lindsey-Ann, 12, and said: “Everyone knows someone who has lost somebody in the conflict. Something like this adds to that tragedy.”
Buy a wristband and show your pride in our troops as they continue to put their lives in danger in Iraq and Afghanistan
Some gave all. All gave some.
Heroes: British soldiers in Iraq
Intense fighting during the last year in two different war zones has seen British troops suffer the worst casualty figures since the 1982 Falklands War. Between October 1, 2006 and September 30 this year, a total of 432 servicemen and women were seriously wounded in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a total of 1,137 had to be flown home for medical treatment. Many have had their lives changed for ever - losing their sight, hearing, organs or limbs. They desperately need your help.
Wristbands are £2 plus 50p p&p (UK and BFPO) but you can donate as much extra as you want.
ONLINE: Go to thesun.co.uk/helpforheroes and donate securely via the web by filling in the simple form.
BY POST: Go to thesun.co.uk/helpforheroes, print out an order coupon and send it off with your cheque to the address supplied.
BY PHONE: Call 0906 111 70 70 and leave your details. You will be sent one wristband, as worn by Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole, for each completed call. Calls cost £2.50 from a BT landline.
Help For Heroes’ first target is to raise £5million to build a swimming pool and gym complex at forces rehab centre Headley Court, Surrey.
EVERY day, we name the big-hearted firms and organisations pledging to do something for our war-weary troops.
Can you help? Call us on 0207 782 4104.
Here is the full list:
Waitrose have donated a £150 Christmas hamper for Help For Heroes to auction.
Woolworths have given goodies worth £500, including a Combat print TV/DVD player, for Help For Heroes to auction. They have also given 100 sets of Top Trumps playing cards. Aerospace company EADS have donated £3,000 to the Help For Heroes appeal fund.
Rolls Royce, who makes aircraft engines as well as cars, have donated a fantastic £50,000. Defence manufacturer NP Aerospace Ltd have given £10,000, and their employers have pledged to raise thousands more with charity challenges.
Jock's Shoe Shine, of Canary Wharf, East London, is offering a 25 per cent discount to anyone wearing a Help for Heroes wristband. Call Jock on 07863 122289.
Quirlys of Grimsby, a gifts and clothing store, is offering a 20 per cent discount to all forces. Call 01472 354847 or go to www.quirlys.co.uk
Forces Reunited are offering free membership to all service personnel serving overseas to use a free video link-up to talk to loved ones back home. Visit www.forcesreunited.org.uk.
The Gallant Hussar pub in Derby will donate 10p from every drink they sell for the next four weeks to Help For Heroes in memory of Pte Ben Ford, killed in Afghanistan on September 5. Please pop in for a pint.
Arsenal Football Club have donated a shirt signed by all the first team players for Help For Heroes to auction, and there will be a donation appeal in their match day programmes.
All Tanned Up, in Colchester, is offering free tanning and beauty treatments to all forces personnel and their spouses on Saturday November 24, between 10am and 6pm. Tel 01206 564337.
Party organiser 1venue.co.uk is donating £1 to Help For Heroes for every new website customer their receive.
Brian Aughterlony, 68, of North London, has pledged £500 of his own money to the appeal. Centrica has given £10,000 to the Help For Heroes cash appeal.
MAP Electrics Ltd, in Teesside, has donated £5,000 to the Help for Heroes appeal.
Forces Reunited are offering free membership to all service personnel serving overseas to use a free video link-up to talk to loved ones back home. Visit www.forcesreunited.org.uk Seventeen of the English Premiership's 20 football teams wore The Sun's Help For Heroes wristbands for their Remembrance Weekend games. They were Arsenal, Manchester United, Spurs, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Wigan, Bolton, Reading, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Fulham, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Manchester City, Blackburn and Derby. Chelsea players also sported them on an individual basis.
TV show Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis has donated 25 interactive i-TeDDy bears to be auctioned to raise cash for injured servicemen, and his stationery firm Ryman has also donated £2,000.
British Gas have donated £10,000 after workers emailed bosses there to urge them to contribute.
Click here for the rest of the Wall of Honour http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article416241.ece
thesun.co.uk
Defence Editor
Published: 24 Nov 2007
The Sun
Give money to the new Help For Heroes charity by buying these £2 wristbands. The charity aims to give wounded British soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan better hospital treatment when they return, better housing and accomodation and anything else that we owe our heroes. The British Army is currently seeing the worst casualty figures since 1982
Great to be home ... a hug for Captain Mark Blackman
Joy ... Sgt Ed Pashley with wife and kids
Pride ... Major Mark Spandler and family
THE Lions of Basra returned home to Britain last night to be greeted by delighted loved ones.
Major Mark Spandler, 37, said: “It’s fantastic to be back in time for Christmas.”
Embraced by wife Isobel, 37, and son Jasper, four, he went on: “I can’t wait to get home and spend some time with my wife and my little boy. We’ve got a lot to celebrate.”
Sgt Ed Pashley, 32 – met by wife Emma, 32, and children Chelsea, nine, and Troy, four – said: “I can’t explain how good it feels to be back and to see my family again. I think all the lads can’t wait to put their feet up and sip a cold beer.”
Click HERE to support our campaign by making a donation or buying a wristband
Little Troy beamed: “Seeing daddy again is the best thing ever. It’s better than Christmas and birthday.”
There were more smiles as Captain Mark Blackman greeted his children and grandchildren.
The 4th Battalion, the Rifles Battle Group, had held the last British base in Basra against a huge rebel onslaught.
In a three-month stand at Basra Palace, the Rifles endured 2,000 mortar and rocket attacks, 100 roadside bombs and 400 rocket-propelled grenade strikes. The base was handed over to Iraqi control in September and the troops moved out to the city’s airport.
In total they had 11 killed and 62 wounded on tour – more than any other unit in Iraq.
Click HERE to print out your wristband coupon to support our troops
Families waited in the freezing cold to greet the infantry. To show support for our Help For Heroes appeal, ALL the loved ones wore wristbands at Picton Barracks, Bulford, Wilts.
The 500-strong battalion’s CO, Lt Col Patrick Sanders, said: “I’ve never before had the privilege to fight with such a magnificent bunch.”
Hugged
Hero: A British soldier in Iraq
But celebrations were tinged with sadness. Two troops from the battalion were killed on Wednesday in a car crash, one just hours after returning home.
Tributes, flowers and cards in memory of L/Cpl Nathan Long, 22, and L/Cpl Paul Knight, lined the fences leading to the base.
Sgt Steve Pearce, 35, hugged wife Angela, 37, son Martyn, 13, and daughter Lindsey-Ann, 12, and said: “Everyone knows someone who has lost somebody in the conflict. Something like this adds to that tragedy.”
Buy a wristband and show your pride in our troops as they continue to put their lives in danger in Iraq and Afghanistan
Some gave all. All gave some.
Heroes: British soldiers in Iraq
Intense fighting during the last year in two different war zones has seen British troops suffer the worst casualty figures since the 1982 Falklands War. Between October 1, 2006 and September 30 this year, a total of 432 servicemen and women were seriously wounded in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a total of 1,137 had to be flown home for medical treatment. Many have had their lives changed for ever - losing their sight, hearing, organs or limbs. They desperately need your help.
Wristbands are £2 plus 50p p&p (UK and BFPO) but you can donate as much extra as you want.
ONLINE: Go to thesun.co.uk/helpforheroes and donate securely via the web by filling in the simple form.
BY POST: Go to thesun.co.uk/helpforheroes, print out an order coupon and send it off with your cheque to the address supplied.
BY PHONE: Call 0906 111 70 70 and leave your details. You will be sent one wristband, as worn by Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole, for each completed call. Calls cost £2.50 from a BT landline.
Help For Heroes’ first target is to raise £5million to build a swimming pool and gym complex at forces rehab centre Headley Court, Surrey.
EVERY day, we name the big-hearted firms and organisations pledging to do something for our war-weary troops.
Can you help? Call us on 0207 782 4104.
Here is the full list:
Waitrose have donated a £150 Christmas hamper for Help For Heroes to auction.
Woolworths have given goodies worth £500, including a Combat print TV/DVD player, for Help For Heroes to auction. They have also given 100 sets of Top Trumps playing cards. Aerospace company EADS have donated £3,000 to the Help For Heroes appeal fund.
Rolls Royce, who makes aircraft engines as well as cars, have donated a fantastic £50,000. Defence manufacturer NP Aerospace Ltd have given £10,000, and their employers have pledged to raise thousands more with charity challenges.
Jock's Shoe Shine, of Canary Wharf, East London, is offering a 25 per cent discount to anyone wearing a Help for Heroes wristband. Call Jock on 07863 122289.
Quirlys of Grimsby, a gifts and clothing store, is offering a 20 per cent discount to all forces. Call 01472 354847 or go to www.quirlys.co.uk
Forces Reunited are offering free membership to all service personnel serving overseas to use a free video link-up to talk to loved ones back home. Visit www.forcesreunited.org.uk.
The Gallant Hussar pub in Derby will donate 10p from every drink they sell for the next four weeks to Help For Heroes in memory of Pte Ben Ford, killed in Afghanistan on September 5. Please pop in for a pint.
Arsenal Football Club have donated a shirt signed by all the first team players for Help For Heroes to auction, and there will be a donation appeal in their match day programmes.
All Tanned Up, in Colchester, is offering free tanning and beauty treatments to all forces personnel and their spouses on Saturday November 24, between 10am and 6pm. Tel 01206 564337.
Party organiser 1venue.co.uk is donating £1 to Help For Heroes for every new website customer their receive.
Brian Aughterlony, 68, of North London, has pledged £500 of his own money to the appeal. Centrica has given £10,000 to the Help For Heroes cash appeal.
MAP Electrics Ltd, in Teesside, has donated £5,000 to the Help for Heroes appeal.
Forces Reunited are offering free membership to all service personnel serving overseas to use a free video link-up to talk to loved ones back home. Visit www.forcesreunited.org.uk Seventeen of the English Premiership's 20 football teams wore The Sun's Help For Heroes wristbands for their Remembrance Weekend games. They were Arsenal, Manchester United, Spurs, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Wigan, Bolton, Reading, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Fulham, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Manchester City, Blackburn and Derby. Chelsea players also sported them on an individual basis.
TV show Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis has donated 25 interactive i-TeDDy bears to be auctioned to raise cash for injured servicemen, and his stationery firm Ryman has also donated £2,000.
British Gas have donated £10,000 after workers emailed bosses there to urge them to contribute.
Click here for the rest of the Wall of Honour http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article416241.ece
thesun.co.uk