Three months of intensive fund raising for Help For Heroes concluded in May with a Charity Auction & Supper at Connah’s Quay Civic Hall – and I admit to having mixed feelings about it. The night was a tremendous success and we could have sold tickets twice over such is the support for our wounded service personnel. We’ve raised over £12,000 from all our events – and the figure is mounting.
It’s been a euphoric experience – the planning, working with colleagues, making friends, raising our individual endurance levels in sponsored events and witnessing the generosity of people we barely know for a common cause. At the same time I’m sad it’s over – rather like the feeling you get on Boxing Day. Can times like this ever be replicated? How can we maintain the camaraderie? How can we harness the drive and spirit that’s been so evident over the last few months to benefit not just our soldiers but to also build citizenship, pride in our neighbourhoods and thriving communities?
Help For Heroes is a meritable cause but support for our servicemen and women has to reach far wider. Irwell Valley would like to see a concerted effort to help all returning service personnel obtain housing and housing advice, so I’m pleased that Housing Minister Grant Shapps has just announced measures to help these soldiers and veterans to settle into life on 'civvy' street. ‘Homes Fit For Heroes’ was the rallying call in 1919, which led to the Addison and Wheatley Acts of Parliament and set the tone for inter-war public housing. That action is never more appropriate than now.
Best Wishes,
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