The battle at home to support soldiers (From The Northern Echo)

The battle at home to support soldiers

12:36pm Wednesday 8th September 2010 in In Depth

SOLDIERS from the 3 Rifles Battle Group and their families have benefited from a charity appeal which The Northern Echo has supported.

The 3 Rifles Wristband Appeal raised money for injured 3 Rifles soldiers and the families of those killed in action.

The Northern Echo decided to back the appeal after reporter Will Roberts met soldiers from the battalion in Sangin, Afghanistan.

Despite having its base in Edinburgh, the battalion recruits a third of its soldiers from the region and has historical links with the Durham Light Infantry.

For six months, from last September to April, 3 Rifles played a crucial role in fighting the Taliban in the Sangin area.

But the campaign came at a cost, with 30 soldiers from the 3 Rifles and the wider Battle Group killed and hundreds more injured.

Included in the fatalities were Corporal Lee Brownson, from Bishop Auckland, and Serjeant Phillip Scott, from Richmond, North Yorkshire.

When a soldier is injured, he or she receives full pay from the Ministry of Defence, as well as compensation, depending on their injuries.

If a soldier is killed in action, his or her family will also receive compensation from the Government.

The 3 Rifles appeal raises money to provide soldiers and their families with everything they need in the aftermath of a casualty.

The money is spent on everything from iPods for soldiers recovering in hospital to financial help for parents and partners of soldiers who are forced to take time off work.

Since The Northern Echo launched its campaign to support the appeal, nearly 2,000 wristbands have been sold to the public at its offices in Darlington and Bishop Auckland.

Edward Watson, co-ordinator of the wristband appeal, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of The Northern Echo readership in supporting our appeal.

“The donations have allowed us to provide much needed initial support for the families, girlfriends and boyfriends of the dead and wounded in their hour of need.

“But just as important to the 3 Rifles Battle Group is that the donations and those who wear the wristband have shown their support for them and their appreciation of their sacrifices.”

Readers of The Northern Echo have played their part by making donations.

In May, the then mayor of Darlington, Councillor Jim Ruck, made a donation of £2,500 from his mayor’s appeal fund.

Durham North MP Kevan Jones also made a donation, while officers at Holme House prison, in Stockton, sold wristbands to colleagues and inmates.

In August, a team of Northern Echo reporters completed the Sherwoods Chevrolet Darlington 10k, raising money for the appeal through sponsorship.

The wristbands are still available from The Northern Echo offices in Bishop Auckland and Darlington for a suggested donation of £2.

How you can Care For Casualties

EARLIER this year, The Rifles charities launched a new appeal to help Care For Casualties. It hopes to raise £1m this year to help services personnel and their families.

The money will be used to provide a range of services from counselling to driving lessons for amputees, to stair lifts for elderly veterans. So far, the appeal has raised £305,000 – but much more is needed.

People can donate online at:
careforcasualties.org.uk
Or send a cheque to:
Care For Casualties, RHQ
The Rifles,
Peninsula
Barracks,
Romsey
Road,
Winchester,
S023 8TS