Supporting our Troops
A Message from the Deputy Intendant-General - August 2009
Hi Worthy Knights all,
For some time now, the Intendant-General and I have been discussing a
concerted effort by the Division to lend support to a charitable cause, in
addition to continued support to the Grand Sovereign’s Millennium Fund.
The recent revelations of the conditions our brothers-in-arms in Afghanistan
serve under, and the treatment they, and those that return from other areas of
conflict receive, have now focused our thoughts. Therefore, with the blessing of
our Intendant-General I am now asking all members in the Division to make an
especial effort to support two causes, that are effectively inter-related –
“Parcels of Care” and “Help for Heroes”.
I probably don’t need to explain “Help for Heroes” as I am sure you are
familiar with that cause. If not, go to their website
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk. As for “Parcels of Care”, an “article”
follows this message that gives the pertinent information.
So what is the plan, and what do Brian and I want everyone to do?
- Each Conclave is being asked to appoint a member as “co-ordinator”.
- Through the co-ordinator, every member is encouraged to order a “Help
for Heroes” lapel badge, which can be worn at all RCC meetings in the
Division.
(Cost £3.00 only – a bargain!). They also have other stuff, like T-shirts,
baseball caps etc., all purchases will help.
- Each Conclave is being asked to donate either one Alms Collection or one
Raffle, or preferably both to “Help for Heroes”.
- Every Conclave member is encouraged to pack a “Parcel of Care”, as per
the guidelines in the article below, and send it to “Father Ted”.*
Also to put in a note with words to the effect - “A gift from your Christian
brethren in Sussex, UK”
The co-ordinator will in due course advise the Divisional Recorder of what
has been done in terms of:
a) badges ordered, b) donations made and c) parcels sent, then we can gauge how
it has gone.
To my simple brain, I reckon we could attain the following as a minimum
achievement:-
Badges say 100 at £3.00 = £300.00 (The charity I reckon make 50% profit) i.e
£150.00
11 Conclaves donating a collection at say £50 = £550
So that’s about £700.00
Then, with luck, over 100 Parcels to our boys in Afghanistan, even if a member
only sends one.
Okay it’s not huge in itself, but every little helps, as I am sure we all know.
Please lend your support to this campaign. You all know my philosophy “Work
hard – play hard”, this is a time to WORK HARD. If you want to talk about
anything in relation to this concept, please contact me, I am sure you know how
to catch up with me !!
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Yours in Faith, Unity and Zeal,
Glyn †‡
Ill. Kt. G. R. Goddard, P.G.St.B.(C).
Deputy Intendant-General
P.S. *The Post Office rule is one free
parcel per day, so for the really keen ones, you could send FIVE every week !
Many of you may know that the Intendant-General of Surrey’s
son, Mat, is currently serving with 4 Rifles and is currently serving in
Afghanistan. There has been much comment in recent months on the subject of
equipment that is required by our military, the level of medical treatment
that they receive, together with aftercare and welfare. We in Sussex Red
Cross of Constantine want to do our best by supporting Help for Heroes.
Documentaries on Television have shown to us all the conditions that our
Military Personnel experience whilst in Kandahar. These can only be
described as acceptable. When they leave Kandahar and go to ‘Forward
Operating Bases’ (FOB’s) the conditions deteriorate considerably. They live
up to ten in a Tent, with very basic washing facilities and are fed ration
packs. Some have clean water to drink, whilst others have dirty water to
contend with. They live and work in a sweltering hot hostile environment.
Mat is fortunate in that he is sent food parcels by Roy, as do families of
most of his comrades. Some are less fortunate in that they have no family or
friends, or circumstances prevent such parcels. Mat and his comrades share
the parcels, but they never have quite enough. It takes three weeks for a
parcel to arrive.
The Post Office allows us in the United Kingdom to send a
Parcel, weighing less than 2Kg for free. The size is also determined and in
practical terms it is the same as a shoe box. The contents have to withstand
the severe heat and suggested items are:
- Dried Noodles
- Tinned vegetables (such as mushrooms, carrots, new potatoes, peas)
- Tinned fruit (peaches are a firm favourite and pineapple)
- Tins of sausages, tinned meats, tinned fish
- Powdered potatoes, and similar foods
Please do not send Alcohol, Jars of preserves (which break), chocolates
(which melt), deodorants in aerosol cans (they explode) and similar food
stuffs.
Local Shoe Shops in Epsom and elsewhere have been fantastic in saving
‘Shoe Boxes’ for such use. Go and ask your local shop for support !!
The Rifles Padre is Father Stephen Sharkey but is affectionately known as
‘Father Ted’. He will accept parcels addressed to him as follows:
Father Stephen (Ted) Sharkey,
4 Rifles/1WG Padre,
Camp Bastion,
BFPO 792
Many are already sending Father Ted Food Parcels which he distributes
himself. The number of people sending parcels to our Soldiers is fantastic,
but they still need more. If you wish to send a parcel you can do so by
sending it direct to Father Ted at his address above; or you can give it to
your Conclave co-ordinator who will pack and post it for you. If you send a
parcel yourself please put a short note in with the food. A letter of
appreciation and the food does wonders for morale, after all everyone likes
to be appreciated.
Father Ted has left the following message on Facebook:
‘Hi Everyone,
Fr Sharkey (AKA Ted) here, I would like to say "Thank You" on behalf of
all 4 Rifles for your support! It has been great for all the members of 4
Rifles and the attached soldiers to have such a great group who are showing
the love and support needed by the soldiers here as they continue to do a
great job here in Afghanistan. The post room in Camp Bastion has been at
times overwhelmed with your parcels, for me it has been fantastic to be able
to send out to the front line your parcels and I know they have been very
much appreciated by everyone! Unfortunately I have been unable to write to
all of you to say "Thank you!'', but if I did I might need a hand transplant
after writing so many letters. So here on Facebook can I say a BIG "THANK
YOU!".
May God bless the 'Swift and Bold'
TED (AKA The Padre)’
Thanks for your support.
Brian Prevett, Intendant-General |
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