WE DID IT - & loved every minute of it - Thanks to everyone who supported us. Our next fund raising event will be the Reading Half Marathon, 20th March 2011. We will be getting friends and family to run in Richard's memory for Care for Casualties. Watch out for "Team Green" .
Corporal Richard Green was killed in Sangin, Afghanistan on 2nd March 2010, aged 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.
Prior to his return to the front line from leave in February, Charlotte (10) had given a talk at school about Rich and the British forces role in Afghanistan. Following this, a number of boys from school went to see Rich and although initially embarrassed, he spoke to them for some time, 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 felt honoured to attend Rich’s funeral in Reading on 23rd March 2010, together with a number of the school children and hundreds of others, who all wanted to show their respect and admiration, not just for Rich, but for all young Riflemen in Afghanistan.
While sitting in the church, Karla couldn’t help but notice Rich’s friends and comrades, including one in a wheelchair who had lost both legs, and suffered other serious injuries near the start of the tour. She felt humbled, moved and insignificant in their presence.
Determined like Rich, to ‘make a difference, somewhere, somehow’ Karla was inspired to try and raise public awareness of the trauma young soldiers suffer in Afghanistan, both physically and emotionally, and is now determined to raise as much money as possible to help ease their burden and let them know that the British public do support and believe in them.
The first step, and its quite a big one, is a sponsored parachute jump which she booked the day after Rich’s funeral, and planned for 24th April at an airfield near Swindon. Somehow, Karla also persuaded Claire Walden (Richard’s Dad, Chris' Long Term Partner/Fiancee) to jump with her so now there are two slightly mad, very scared women going for the big one! Both terrified of flying and roller coasters let alone jumping out of a plane, and both wondering what on earth they’ve let themselves in for. If you’re near Swindon that day, just look up and wait for the screams.
Rich would be truly honoured to know that people like Karla and Claire are doing this in his memory and would certainly be proud to know that even in death he was able to help his injured mates and fellow riflemen.
The Charity we have chosen have just launched an appeal to help casualties - please see their Press Release....
The Rifles, through The Rifles Regimental Trust, is launching its “Care for Casualties Appeal” at 14:30
hours on Wednesday, March 24th 2010 at Regimental Headquarters The Rifles, Peninsula Barracks,
Romsey Road, Winchester SO23 8TS.
The Care for Casualties Appeal has been devised to ensure that the Regiment has sufficient funds to
provide the care and support in future years that would be expected of any extended family. This
might include installing a stair‐lift for an amputee who would otherwise have a long wait for one,
paying for driving lessons for the girlfriend of a Corporal blinded in Sangin, or providing a
replacement computer for a severely speech‐restricted Rifleman.
The Appeal relates directly to the level of casualties that have been sustained by the Regiment’s
highly successful operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan since its formation in February 2007. The
aim is to raise £1 million within its first year.
The Rifles consists of 7 battalions (5 Regular and 2 Territorial) as well as 2 other detached TA
companies, one based in Shrewsbury and one in Bishop Auckland. The Regiment has had battalions
permanently on operational duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan since its formation in February 2007,
currently with the 3 Rifles Battle Group deployed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and all 7
battalions have personnel deployed within it. It is also significant that 4 Riles has had Riflemen
continually deployed in Helmand over the course of the past year, and it is fitting therefore that Lt
Col Rupert Jones MBE, their Commanding Officer, will be launching this appeal. As a Regiment we
are immensely proud of all our soldiers. The Rifles are playing a significant part in the major security
challenge of the day, that is what soldiers train to do and we are committed to it; but success comes
at a price.
To date, over the past three years, the Regiment has lost 51 men killed in action and has sustained
over 220 wounded, of whom at least 40 have sustained life‐changing injuries. 6 of those killed in
action died in one week early this month (March 2010).
The Regimental Charities do not seek to replace or duplicate the excellent medical and after‐care
provided by the Army, the NHS or other specific charities. Experience has taught us that soldiers are
very often too proud to ask until it is late in the day, and that the Regimental system is uniquely
placed to step in quickly, sensitively and effectively to help out those that need more immediate
assistance or those who are not fully catered for.
For further details please contact Rebecca Maciejewska at c4c@the‐rifles.co.uk
Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
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 - We raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now, remember just the price of a Sambuca shot or a packet of cigs can really make all the difference!! Thank you from both of us and all those you will be helping.
