9:25am Friday 19th March 2010
By Mark Tallentire
A FOREIGN Office minister has backed the 3 Rifles Wristband Appeal during a visit to the region.
Ivan Lewis yesterday threw his weight behind the Swift and Bold campaign to raise money for injured soldiers and bereaved military families, which is supported by The Northern Echo.
At Durham University’s Collingwood College, Mr Lewis said: “I think it’s absolutely brilliant that The Northern Echo and the community in this part of the world is supporting such an important cause.
“Every time a British citizen shows, through a donation, action or message of support, they are thinking about the brave men and women on the frontline, it makes a massive difference.
“Every act of support and compassion lifts the morale of our brave men and women. I back any campaign which demonstrates publicly the support for our forces.”
Mr Lewis was in the North- East to talk about Britain’s role in Afghanistan. He visited community groups in Middlesbrough, before delivering a speech at Durham University and holding round-table talks with students.
Acknowledging the high number of personnel the North-East contributes to the Armed Forces, Mr Lewis said: “We owe them everything.
Their courage and professionalism is unequalled.
“We know that for families who have lost sons and daughters, husbands and wives, nothing will ever be able to make up for that.
“But I want them to know the sacrifice has not been in vain.
“It’s been in pursuit of a noble cause: peace in this country and in Afghanistan.
“People need to know, and military commanders will tell you, that the forces have never been better equipped or better supported than they are today, despite some stories in the media.”
3 Rifles recruits a third of its soldiers from the North- East and North Yorkshire and was one of the battalions formed from the Durham Light Infantry.
In January, Corporal Lee Brownson, from Bishop Auckland, was killed by a roadside bomb while serving with 3 Rifles in Sangin, Afghanistan.
3 Rifles Swift and Bold appeal wristbands are available, for a suggested donation of £2, at The Northern Echo’s offices in Darlington and Bishop Auckland, from the DLI Museum, in Durham City, or online from swiftand bold.org
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