Summer barbecue raises vital funds to support injured troops

The Solihull based charity Troop Aid held a summer barbeque on Sunday (21st August) raising £335 towards supporting our injured troops.

The event was held at 1st Solihull Scout Group Headquarters at Mill Pool Woods on Lode Lane, Solihull.

As well as a delicious selection of hot and cold food and drinks, there was a Troop Aid merchandise stall, a DJ, a bottle stall and a card stall.

Supporters travelled from near and far to attend the event.

Speaking on behalf of Troop Aid, Pam Sutton said: “The rain held off just long enough for the summer barbeque.

‘It was much appreciated that the Mayor of Solihull Cllr Mike Robinson and the Mayoress Mrs Jenny Robinson were able to take time out of their busy schedule to be with us.

“On behalf of Troop Aid I’d like to say how very much we welcomed everyone’s help on the day and to our supporters a big ‘thank you’.”

The charity’s next fundraiser will be a Quiz to be held on Saturday 3 September at the Royal British Legion on Union Road in Solihull. Entry will be £8 per person to include a fish and chip supper and free entry into a Lucky Number draw. For more information and to register a team (maximum 6 people) please call the Troop Aid office on 0121 711 7215.

* Troop Aid Grab Bag – When service personnel are injured either on training exercise or in combat they return to the United Kingdom without their personal effects or clothing.

Troop Aid supplies them with the ‘basic essentials’ in a Grab Bag.

Items in the Grab Bag include T-shirt and shorts, washing and shaving kit, towel, face flannel, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower mules, socks and underwear. The charity also makes up Grab Bags for injured female service personnel.

In addition to this emergency pack, Troop Aid supplies on demand to the injured service personnel many other items of clothing and footwear such as tracksuits, hoodies, fleeces and trainers.

The charity deals directly with the Defence Medical Welfare Service and other military medical establishments in the UK where there is a need.

Grab Bags are currently being used in the Field Hospitals in Cyprus and Kenya, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and the Ministry of Defence Hospital Units in Plymouth, Portsmouth, Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Medical Centre ITC Catterick Garrison and MDHU Northallerton.

It costs £30.00 to make up one Grab Bag.

A registered charity, Troop Aid’s patron is HRH The Prince of Wales.

Troop Aid is funded by donations and receives no government support.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Troop Aid and to learn how they might offer support – call: 0121 711 7215 or go to: www.troopaid.info

Donations can also be sent to: Troop Aid, 21 Radway Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4NR.

Picture: L-R: Reg Singer; Pat Singer; Al Sutton, co-Founder and Trustee of Troop Aid; the Mayoress of Solihull Mrs Jenny Robinson; the Mayor of Solihull Cllr Mike Robinson.