Sports Salute for our Troops

5th September 2011: Alix Hodge launches Ten for Ten's Sports Salute for our Troops

Please link to BBC Radio Oxford: Malcolm Boyden and the Malcom Boyden interview. Fast forward to 2.08.54 through to 2.16.48 and you will hear Alix Hodge being interviewed on Radio Oxford.

 

Troops at Camp Bastion launch Sports Salute: August 2011

Oxford United Players and 3 Logistics Regiment line up to show support

Oxford United “Players back campaign” see the Oxford United Website 

Witney Rugby Club launches support!

NEWS RELEASE! NEWS RELEASE! NEWS RELEASE!

TEN FOR TEN LAUNCHES SPORT’S SALUTE FOR OUR TROOPS

5th September 2011: Appleton. This year sees the tenth anniversary of British forces serving in Afghanistan and to mark this, a unique national appeal called Ten for Ten - ten days of fundraising for ten years of service in Afghanistan.

Today Ten for Ten is launching the event which will kick start the appeal on 1st October 2011, “Sport’s Salute for our Troops”. Oxford United has committed its support by agreeing to promote the campaign at their match on Saturday 8th October 2011, when they will be playing Bristol Rovers.

The United took part in a photo shoot on Monday 5th September, alongside serving soldiers from Dalton Barracks of the 3 Logistic Support Regiment, RLC.

The Ten for Ten “Sport’s Salute for our Troops” asks national Premier and League Football and Rugby clubs to show their support for our forces by inviting spectators to donate £1 or more each during matches held between 1st and 10th October 2011. More than 48,000 people have already pledged their support.

Kelvin Thomas, chairman of Oxford United, said: “Oxford United is delighted to play its part in the Ten for Ten campaign. We as a club do a lot of work with the Armed Forces so we urge everyone to spend a moment thinking about them and their families, and to support those wounded through this appeal.”

Alix Hodge – the Oxfordshire teacher who is heading up Ten for Ten – hopes that the events will be a huge success both in terms of fundraising and of awareness. “After the ten years of service and extraordinary sacrifices our forces have made in Afghanistan, this is a unique time for us to donate a little to those who have given so much. We are asking players, clubs and fans alike to grab this chance to give a little back to some of sport’s most ardent supporters,” she said. “The funds raised will help provide the retraining needed to give our injured men and women the opportunity to develop a new career. They will also help fund the Personnel Recovery Centres which will be there for the long term support not only of those wounded but also for their families.”

School children and businesses across the UK are also signing up for Ten for Ten, which will finish with a Red, White and Blue Day on 10th October 2011. Over 32,000 schoolchildren are already taking part.

Organisers are hoping to raise £1 million by 10pm on 10/10, to help wounded and injured servicemen and women, through ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Help for Heroes.

For more information on how to get involved see: www.tenforten.co.uk  

ENDS

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Notes for editors

Ten for Ten is the brainchild of school teacher Alix Hodge, a teacher at Cothill School near Abingdon. Alix was moved to help after her artist husband went to Afghanistan at the request of 3 Rifles to paint a large scene of Sangin market to mark the end of their tour. In the 10 days that he was there, six men lost their lives. Hearing about this firsthand was profoundly humbling and inspired Alix to do her bit. The event aims to raise £1million for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Help for Heroes during the ten days from 1-10 October 2011. The key event for school children is “Red, White and Blue” day on 10/10. To see an interview with British Forces Broadcasting Services with Alix see http://www.tenforten.co.uk/news.asp and click on the video piece.

About ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

Since 1944, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, has been helping soldiers, veterans and their families in times of need, giving a lifetime of support to serving and retired soldiers and their families. Working with veterans from every conflict since the Second World War, including those from recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity makes grant payments within 48 hours of receipt, making a significant difference at a critical point in many lives. To find out more please go to www.soldierscharity.org  

ABOUT HELP FOR HEROES

Help for Heroes (H4H) has raised over £100m since its launch in October 2007. All the funds raised to date are either allocated or spent on the direct, practical support of those wounded in the line of duty since 9/11. To date, H4H has funded a variety of projects including the £8m Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court, a new £3.5m treatment centre for Combat Stress, adaptive adventure training through the Battle Back programme and the creation of a £6m Quick Reaction Fund to support individuals in need. In February 2010, H4H announced its key role in the creation of five regional Personnel Recovery Centres (PRCs), which provide, in partnership with the MoD and The Royal British Legion and other Service charities, ongoing training and support for the wounded after Headley Court. Locations of the PRCs include Edinburgh, Colchester, Catterick, Tidworth and Plymouth. Help for Heroes does not seek to criticise or be political. We just want to help and we work closely with the Royal Navy,Army and the RAF to provide support where it is most needed. Of the money raised to date for H4H, nearly all of it has been either spent or allocated to provide facilities and support services that benefit British servicemen and women injured in action. For more information on how we spend your money visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/how_we_spend.html