"What is H4H all about? It's about the blokes, our men and women. It's about Derri, a rugby player who has lost both his legs, it about Carl whose jaw is wired up so he has been drinking through a straw. It's about Richard who was handed a mobile phone as he lay on the stretcher so he could say goodbye to his wife. It is about Ben, its about Steven and Andy and Mark, its about them all. They are just blokes but they are our blokes; they are our heroes. We want to help our heroes." Bryn Parry, Appeal Chairman
Help for Heroes doesn't build memorials - it rebuilds lives. They've only been around since October 2007, it's not a stuffy cause - they're in touch with both its beneficiaries and donors. You don’t want to think that your hard earned cash is sitting in a dusty bank vault waiting for a rainy day; that is clearly not your style and nor is it theirs. The sooner we can help our wounded servicemen and women and the sooner we can see results, the better.
We wish we could do something practical to help - but we're a bit shit at stuff like that. Bur what we can do is something which challenges us, and could possibly stimulate our familes and friends to sponsor us as an act of support for our chosen cause. So our chosen challenge is a 1650 mile 4x4 European Rally, visiting 6 countries in 10 days from the training grounds of Salisbury Plain, to the Normandy beaches, to the echoes of the horror of Dachau Concentration Camp ending up at the Eagle’s Nest, Berchtesgaden near Salzburg in Austria . This is an ace chance to combine our passion (affliction?) for competing in Land Rovers and to show the Toyota and Mitsubishi boys how it should be done, whilst raising money for Help for Heroes. The event will require 1st class navigation, driving skills, timekeeping and a positive attitude to succeed.
We are one of 45 teams competiting in this year's inaugural event, and in that vein our expectation is to finish, but a top 5 finish in the prize-zone is what we really hope for! With Dominic's extensive off road rally and expedition driving experience and Jonathan's European off roading and crack map-reading skills we should be in with a good chance. Our "trusty" steed is a Defender 90.
The money raised by teams will be donated to our chosen
charity, Help for Heroes. I have a target to raise £200 minimum sponsorship,
and would like to achieve a realistic £500 through your generosity.
Rest assured, your sponsorship is not used to cover any costs. We pay for the entry fee, ferry, fuel, camping fees and insurance. Your money goes to H4H. With an event like this there are no losers though - Help for Heroes is the only winner.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your
details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted
emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and
make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So
it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and
cutting costs for the charity.
Any donation, however small (or large!) is much appreciated.
Lots of small donations will make me look popular, a single big one will look like someone felt sorry for me!!
