Customers thanked for donations

Thanks to the generosity of customers over the last 9 months at Haskins garden centre, a cheque for £1160 has been presented to the Rifles Regiment’s Care For Casualties Appeal.  The money, raised from the wishing well and events held at the Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown, will directly benefit service men and women and families thanks to the ring-fenced appeal within The Rifles Regimental Trust.
 
Appeal Coordinator Rebecca Maciejewska accepted the cheque from Haskins Customer Service Manager Brittany Chapman at the Rifles Museum at the Regimental headquarters in Winchester.
 
“We are so very grateful to everyone who made a donation and for the fantastic support offered by the team at Haskins,” said Rebecca Maciejewska.  “All money raised is spent on direct and indirect support and grants to help individuals, on recuperation breaks, funeral support and casualty packs for those who arrive back at hospital in the UK and for rehabilitation at Headley Court.”
 
The fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq has taken its toll on the Regiment.  57 Riflemen have been killed.  The numbers injured have also been high. Amongst the injuries there are now 27 amputees, including two who have taken the decision to have a lower limb amputation in order to improve their mobility.
 
“The appeal supports the adaptation of houses, adaptation of cars, driving lessons for amputees to give them independence or the provision of quad bikes in certain circumstances to provide mobility, also the funding of retraining and re-skilling and education.   We also fund marriage guidance counselling and approximately £40,000 has been spent on rehabilitation and recuperation breaks for our wounded and bereaved.  These give our casualties a sense of self-belief and optimism, the restorative benefits of which are incalculable. Importantly we support for the expenses of our Regimental Casualty Officer to allow him to better oversee the care of our casualties.”
 
Anyone wishing to support Care For Casualties can find information at www.careforcasualties.org.uk or call 01962 828503.