Who Are Help For Heroes And What Exactly Do They Do?

By Author: Kai Thorpe
Total Articles: 11
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We have all heard of wounded soldier charity Help for Heroes, but how much do you really know about it? Launched in October 2007 by Bryn and Emma Parry and a group of friends, Help for Heroes’ pledge is to offer direct action to support those wounded in service for our country since 9/11. Their son was due to join the army and Bryn had stayed in touch with his old regiment The Green Jackets (now the Rifles), and they were touched to hear about the number of casualties in the Armed Forces. Bryn and Emma met General Sir Richard Dannatt, former head of the British Army, who suggested that they focus fundraising efforts on helping to provide a swimming pool at Headley Court, the Tri Service Rehabilitation Centre near Epsom in Surrey. They were later granted permission to form a charity, and Help for Heroes was born.

Help for Heroes benefits the Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force, with every penny from donations going to support injured servicemen and women across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Over £100 million has been raised in the past four years, with money going to Personnel Recovery Centres (PRCs), Tedworth ...
... House (Welfare Support Hub), and Individual Recovery Plans (IRPs).

The commitment of the charity is to assist people who are currently serving or have served in the Armed Forces and their dependants, by carrying out any legal charitable purpose agreed by the trustees. This includes promoting and protecting the health of those who have been wounded or injured whilst serving in the Armed Forces through providing them with facilities, equipment or services for their rehabilitation; and to make grants to other charities that assist members of the Armed Forces and their dependants.

Examples of the work of Help for Heroes is the “Road to Recovery” offered to injured servicemen and women. It starts with them returning from operations, probably to Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham, and then moving to Headley Court for medical and health rehabilitation. Support will be provided from Help for Heroes before, during and after treatment, be it medical or psychological assistance, or a grant to pay to make life at home a little bit easier. Help for Heroes has so far given grants from their Quick Reaction Fund to fund Canine Partners for injured troops, and home and car medical and mobility equipment.

Help for Heroes also finance The Band of Brothers; a communication service which keeps in contact with individuals injured in the service of our country, sharing job offers, VIP invitations to events and keeping in touch. Band of Sisters is a similar service, offering a support network for the loved ones of wounded or killed members of the Armed Forces.

The charity has a partner trading company-Help for Heroes Trading Company Ltd-which enables the charity’s name and logo to be used on commercial merchandise. Any profits from Help for Heroes Trading Company Ltd, including merchandise from the store, will be spent on maintaining office costs and paying staff salaries, and any money which is left over goes in with the donations. Office and salary costs are kept at a minimum, with work being supported by a network of volunteers. This means that every penny of donations can then be spent on caring for injured soldiers.

Visit the Help for Heroes online shop for a large range of products supporting wounded members of our Armed Forces. Make sure to check out the Herowear section for a luxurious collection of lounge wear including men’s and ladies’ hooded robes, jogging bottoms, t-shirts and underwear, all featuring the iconic Help for Heroes logos.