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Latest news
As the Project draws towards
its conclusion, I am sending another and probably final update on what has
been done.
At the end of last year, the contractor carried out remedials to the first
area of planting done in December 2006. It was good to see the leaves
shoot this Spring. Even two 5’ trees that had suffered damage by vandals
have sprouted again, showing great determination to overcome a little
difficulty (one of these is shown in the attached picture – the bushy one
on the right). This first area was paid for entirely by your donations
and we have been able to collect nearly £3000 of tax on Gift Aid
subscriptions made to the Rotary Club of Meriden.
As you know, we were delighted to be awarded, in June 2007, a Big Lottery
“Breathing Spaces” grant of £8750 for a further area of planting. (Thanks
go to you, Jim, for giving us that encouragement to go for this). We have
been supported throughout this project by officers of Solihull
Metropolitan Borough Council and it was their suggestion to vary somewhat
the location of this second area of planting, to connect it with the first
area and help provide what will surely be a continuous wildlife corridor
though the Park. The Lottery Fund approved this change.
Nearly four acres of planting in the Park have therefore been carried out
and has prompted the Park itself to be declared by Solihull Council as a
Local Nature Reserve. I am attaching a copy of the sign that has now been
provided at the entrance to the Park. I am also attaching an article that
has appeared in a local paper. School groups have been planting wildflower
plugs around the Project area and also planted additional native shrubs.
Groups have also taken part in “bug hunts” and pond dipping. Volunteers
have laid some additional hedging and started installing some steps to
help create a nature trail / circular walk through the wood.
We still have to install some wooden trail / marker posts around the area
and I have just been told that Rotary District 1060 has awarded us a £500
matching grant to assist us with this. They will be inscribed with the
name “Katherine’s Wood “ and with Rotary insignia.
So, overall, rather a lot has happened since I first asked for
contributions to some tree planting, to carry out Katherine’s wish for
more tree planting in the area. I hope she would be pleased. Our sincere
thanks go to the Rotary Club of Meriden for supporting the project and
Solihull Council, as well as all of you who have given us financial help.
Come and have a look at it for yourself, if you can. There may be some
form of official unveiling later in the year, but I cannot give you
details of this yet.
Kind regards and many thanks for your support.
Ian, Sheila and Robert Courts
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This is an extract taken from
the website "British
Army Rumour Service about the Troop Aid organisation. More
information is also on the
Atherstone Rotary Club website.
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:10 am Post subject: Troop aid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have just been made aware of the following endeavours, and thought you may
all like to have a look. Apologies if already covered...
TROOP AID
WELFARE SUPPORT
Who are we?
TROOP AID was set up in November 2006 as a voluntary service to provide
essential personal items to our service personnel who have been injured in
battle in the present Middle East conflict. by Ray Warren, Derek Joss and
Capt A* S***** after their visit to Selly Oak Hospital's Alexander Wing in
Birmingham Based here is the Defence medical Welfare Services. They are
responsible for the welfare of all troops male or female who have been
injured; some seriously during conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan and flown
to the UK to expert medical attention.
What are we doing?
When troops return from battle to the UK from the war zones they arrive in
the kit they are injured in. That is combat kit, boots etc. They do not
have any civilian clothing to wear and no money to buy essential personal
items, or civilian clothing.
The aim of TROOP AID is to supply these basic essentials required when
they return to the UK injured from serving their country.
Examples are; Kit bags, full shaving kit, pair of trainers, socks,
underwear, tracksuits and a warm clothing
We also supply videos, DVD's, books, games and confectionary which
includes chocolate, crisps, biscuits etc.
No furnished facilities have been made available for the rooms provided
for family visitors wishing to stay overnight during their hospital visit
to be near their loved ones. We have provided basic furniture for these
rooms.
Where are we doing it?
At the moment we deal directly with Selly Oak Alexander Wing at Selly Oak
and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham We have also sent items to
TELIC9 field hospital in Iraq, and to Frimley Park.
How are we doing it?
We obtain all our money by fundraising and donations.
Contributions so far have been given by The Royal British Legion Club
Knowle, Branch, and women's Section. Solihull Royal British Legion Branch
Club, MC Sports Acocks Green, Cadbury's, BHS, Marks and Spencer and Blue
Monkey. We have also been sent donations from members of the public who
have heard about the problems.
We would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support so far in
this venture. With continued support we will be able to give our Troops
the basic essentials that they deserve.
To date we have spent £5364.85 on goods with a retail value of
£26,824.25p.
Why are we doing it?
We understand that everyone who joins the forces may one day go to war and
fight for their country. But we believe that when injured troops return
home they should be cared for much better than they are.
No military hospitals in the UK are deployed and operational.
At both the Birmingham hospitals, the 8000 troops so far injured in the
Middle East conflict receive the very best of medical care . However NHS
Hospitals are not Military Hospitals and soldiers are not civilians. The
ladies from Defence Medical Welfare do a fantastic job, working very long
hours and are in contact with us 24 Hours a day 7 Days a week..
If they require anything we do our best to purchase and supply these items
within 48hrs.
We will continue to help the troops returning from conflict for as long as
possible but we cannot continue to do this without donations and some more
assistance.
If you would like to make a donation, provide equipment or offer physical
assistance please contact :
Ray Warren, 41, Hampton Road, Knowle, Solihull
West Midlands
B93 0NR
Cheques should be made out to:
"TROOP AID"
All donations gratefully received and faithfully applied.
Goods supplied to date
T-Shirts/Polo shirts
Hooded Sweatshirts
Track-suit bottoms
Shorts
Boxer shorts and Socks
Trainers
Fleece jackets
Water proof coats
Rucksacks
Kit bags
Full shaving kits
Hair clippers
Nail clippers
Plug adapters
Bed frames
Duvet covers and pillow cases
Wardrobes
Cabinets
Chest of drawers
Mobile fans
Waste bins
Electrical equipment: DVD players, I-pods etc
Confectionary: sweets, crisps, chocolate biscuits, drinks etc
There are also contact telephone numbers available but i have removed
these for obvious reasons.
_________________
the dreams of an old man were the deeds of his youth......
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