I have oragnised a charity football match between Grenadier Guards (past) 11 v 1st BN Grenadier Guards (present). The game itself will take place at The Army Footbal Stadium on Grenadier Day 20th July 2014. Whilst the evnt itself is not scaling mount everest or running 10 marathons it will pose a real challenge for the past football team whose average age will most certainly be 20 years older than their current serving counterparts. Moreover this is avery real opportunity to show emotional and financial support to a brotherhood of Grenadiers and their families. Darren Chant was an old friend of mine from way back when we played for the BN football team for several years together. It is fitting that the trophy be named after him but that we remember the wider vision of this event and that we honour fully 15 Grenadiers killed and many more injured. I put this out not only to ex and serving grenadiers but also to our families and friends that you might take this opportunity to donate to this very close to home cause. The Colonels Fund has been raising money since 2007 in order to provide support to Grenadiers who have been seriously injured in Afghanistan, and to the families of those who have been killed. The Grenadiers have carried out 3 tours in Helmand Province and have lost 15 members of the Regiment who were killed in action; in addition, the Regiment has sustained a large number of battle casualties, with many suffering life changing injuries. And of course, there remains the unquantifiable number of young men who will have suffered mentally and who will need our support in the future. We ask you to dig deep. We can assure you that we will not do this again and any contribution will make a difference - it all adds up and will take us one step nearer to reaching our target and ensure that the Colonels Fund is well placed going forward to continue to support Grenadiers in need. Below is a message from HRH Prince Philip, Colonel, Grenadier Guards which succinctly explains what we are trying to do for The Colonels Fund: One of the most valuable features of the regimental system is the sense of comradeship which it creates between present and past members of the Regiment, and with all their families and friends. It is always there, but, when the need arises, it can be turned into tangible and appropriate support.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:51:57 +0000