Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Mr Duane Ashworth a former Grenadier Guardsman.

My son James Ashworth aged just 23 years old was killed in action in 2012 whilst also serving with the Grenadier Guards in Afghanistan.

In March of 2013 James was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.  Shortly after the announcement was made I was made aware of a little known charity called the Victoria Cross Trust, I was naturally curious as to their aims & objectives. Following a meeting with them I decided to get involved with their work in any way I could. I was asked if I would agree to become a patron of the charity, which I did without hesitation.  I have also recently agreed to become a trustee.

The Victoria Cross Trust works very hard to ensure that appropriate respect is paid to all of the Victoria Cross recipients around the world, including my own son James.  A large part of their current work involves the restoration and care of the 900+ VC graves not looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

I have been personally involved in a number of these restoration projects and have seen first-hand the extremely high quality work that is undertaken by the Trust and the level of respect they have for the families they work with.

I cannot even imagine for one moment that James’s grave would quite easily be forgotten once I am gone, but evidence all around me proves that that is exactly what will happen unless the Victoria Cross Trust is supported.

My son James gave his life for this nation and was awarded its highest honour for the valour he displayed, something as a father and a former soldier I am extremely proud of. I would like to think that it has some meaning to the people that live in this great nation of ours, as do all the other Victoria Cross recipients, and that once myself and James’s immediate family are not around anymore, that you the public will take good care of him for me.

The Victoria Cross Trust is fighting hard to battle its way through the huge amount of work required to restore the many years of neglect and apathy that has affected the graves of these brave men, but they cannot do it alone. They need money to complete their work and money to cover the operating costs of the charity, neither of which can be sourced from the government or Heritage Lottery Fund. It must rely totally on the generosity of the public

In light of this I am requesting that you consider offering your support to the Trust by way of a financial contribution.

I am asking in memory of my son James, who I know, if he was still alive, would support the Trust wholeheartedly.

Kind Regards

Duane Ashworth
Trustee
Victoria Cross Trust