Great support for Troop Aid’s Annual Ball

On Saturday 7th October, over 350 guests gathered at the National Conference Centre in Solihull, home of the National Motorcycle Museum, for Troop Aid’s highest profile event of the year – the Annual Ball.

All were greeted upon arrival by a guard of honour. From young Sea Cadets to current military personnel and members of the Royal British Legion to a Chelsea Pensioner, the evening appealed to everyone who was keen to support the Midlands based charity that supports our injured service troops.

Once gathered in the dining room, the Royal Artillery Band played – their marching to music had everyone spell bound!

Al Sutton, Co-Founder and Chairman of the charity, said: “It’s always great to see how well the Troop Aid Ball is supported every year. On behalf of the Trustees can I please thank everyone whether they attended as guests, volunteers or military personnel.

‘‘Some people have remarked that with the majority of our combat troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, surely there is no role for Troop Aid anymore.

“Actually, nothing could be further from the truth.

“Here at the Troop Aid headquarters we are busier than we have ever been, sending Grab Bags all around the globe with basic, essential supplies for injured service personnel, whether they are injured in combat or in training.”

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

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

* Items in a GRAB BAG include T-shirt and shorts, washing and shaving kit, towel, face flannel, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower mules, socks, underwear, pen and paper. They are also supplied to injured female service personnel. It costs the charity £30.00 to purchase all of the items to put together one of their Grab Bags.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Troop Aid, please call ‪0121 711 7215‬ or go to their website: www.troopaid.info. Donations can be sent to: Troop Aid, 21 Radway Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4NR.

Photo: Top – Josh Boggi; Anna Boggi; Jennifer Smith; Clive Smith, Troop Aid Ambassador. Bottom left – Sgt Mick Briggs, Troop Aid Trustee; Lorraine Baker; Group Capt Tone Baker. Bottom right – Reg Bywell; Jennifer Herbert; Ian Herbert; Carolyn McLaughlin, Troop Aid Trustee.