Corporal Richard Green was killed in action in Afghanistan on 2^nd March 2010, aged just 23.  A much loved Section Commander of 3 Rifles Recce Platoon, Rich touched many peoples lives, not least the pupils at his sister Charlotte's school. Following a talk by Charlotte about him and the British forces role in Afghanistan, Rich had spoken to some of the boys from the school, answering their questions and telling them any number of soldier stories. Just under three weeks later those same children had to be told by their teachers that he had been killed.

 

One of those teachers was Karla Fox who attended Rich’s funeral in Reading on 23^rd March 2010 together with a number of the children and noticed his friends and comrades including one who had lost both legs, and suffered other serious injuries. His name was Stephan Van Nierkerk. In the summer of 2009, both he and Rich had attended SAS selection. While they both were forced to pull out with leg injuries, they had already talked about trying again on their return from Sangin. Sadly, that was not to be.   

 

Stephan’s story, amongst many others, inspired Karla and Claire Green (Richard's Step-Mum)  to try and heighten public awareness of the trauma young soldiers suffer in Afghanistan, both physically and emotionally, and to raise as much money as possible to ease their burden and let them know the great British public do support and believe in them.

 

Karla and Claire’s chosen charity is The Rifles ‘Care For Casualties’. Over the past three years, the seven Rifles Regiments have lost 54 men killed in action, and suffered over 290 wounded, of whom at least 40 have sustained life changing injuries. These statistics were reflected in 3 Rifles Recce Platoon’s last tour when they suffered four deaths and eight serious injuries including amputations, from a total of 23 soldiers.

 

Karla and Claire’s first step was a sponsored parachute jump in April 2010 which raised almost £7,000. Added to money raised by other friends, to date around £14,000 has been raised in Richard’s memory.

 

The next step, the most ambitious yet, is Team Green. The aim is to raise at least £10,000 with 26 sponsored runners completing the Reading Half Marathon in Rich’s memory on Sunday 20^th March 2011. One notable, confirmed participant will be Lance Corporal James Mckie of 3 Rifles Recce Platoon who served in Rich’s section in Sangin. The day after Rich was killed, James saved the life of two fellow soldiers by throwing back a live Taliban grenade. For this action he has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, second only to the Victoria Cross in gallantry awards.  

Rich never ran the Reading Half Marathon, but we know he wanted to but he was often away with work or training so he would be pleased that so many friends and family are running it in his memory.

Team members include: Claire Green, Karla Fox, Steve Jones,Bee Green, Kelly Jeanes, James McKie, Emily Newman, Jude Cresswell, Ian Tayler, Charlotte Foster, Brad Harris, Jo Iremonger, Lucy Alder, Matt Cracknell, Glenn Mann,Rhiannon Smith, Linda Huckin & James, Simon Brimacombe,Kevin Martin, Graham Cole, Victoria Blades.

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