Six military charities pledge support to Project 65
06 April 2009
In an unprecedented and historic move, six of the most influential military charities that support serving and ex-military personnel have pledged their support to D-Day charity, Project 65.
The Royal British Legion, BLESMA, St Dunstan's, RAF Benevolent Fund, Army Benevolent Fund, and Help for Heroes have a rare and special opportunity to join forces in their fundraising efforts.
Project 65, set up to raise £500,000 which will be split between the six charities, have co-ordinated a move to bring together support, resources and publicity efforts to mark the 65th Anniversary of D-Day this June.
Project 65 is organising a challenge run in order to raise the targeted total. The run will be made up of some of the 200 runners (representing the 200 soldiers who took part in the Pegasus Bridge operation) who will aim to run 65 miles on 4th June from an old airfield in Dorset to Portsmouth. From there they will catch a ferry to Ouistreham, Normandy, before running the last couple of miles to the bridge.
There are still a few remaining place for those wishing to emulate their heroes of past and present. Entry details and additional information can be found at www.project65.net, or just make a donation.
President of Project 65, General Sir Robert Pascoe, had this to say on the initiative, "For these six charities to come together and form a fundraising coalition is very welcome indeed. The success of Project 65 in raising the aimed for half a million is very dependent on us all working together. Now that the Government has put the 65th Anniversary firmly back on the agenda, it makes complete sense for us all to work towards one common goal and the D-Day operation at Pegasus Bridge is the perfect opportunity for this to happen."
ENDS
For further information or an interview with General Sir Robert Pascoe, President of Project 65:
Please contact Ed Lloyd Owen on 020 7993 3833 or email elo@oneismore.com
Notes to Editors:
About Project 65
Project 65 has been created to honour the memory of the men who took part in the Coup de Main operation to capture the bridges on the Caen Canal and River Orne in the early hours of D-Day 65 years ago. The bridges are nowadays known as Pegasus and Horsa Bridges. A team of fundraising volunteers will leave Tarrant Rushton Airfield on June 4th next year and run 65 miles to arrive at Pegasus Bridge to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6th 2009. The organisers of Project 65 aim to raise £500,000, part of which will be used to erect a simple but lasting memorial to the men of the Coup de Main force and those directly associated with that operation 65 years ago. The memorial will be erected directly in front of the original bridge within the grounds of the museum that now displays the original bridge over the Orne Canal. The remainder of the money raised will be divided between The Royal British Legion, BLESMA, St Dunstan's, RAF Benevolent Fund, Army Benevolent Fund, and Help for Heroes, so that they may continue to help the disabled and wounded men and women of today’s Armed Forces.
About The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependents. Currently, nearly 9.5 million people are eligible for our support and we receive thousands of calls for help every year. The Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-Service community and over 450,000 members continue to ensure that this voice does not go unheard. Although the needs of ex-Service people have changed over the years, we are still there to safeguard their welfare, interests and memory. British service people are in action around the world every day of the year. They know that if they need our support - now or in the future - the Legion is always on active duty for them.
About The Army Benevolent Fund
The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) is the Army's national charity. For over sixty years the Army Benevolent Fund has worked tirelessly to provide financial and practical support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. They work in partnership with Regimental and Corps Benevolent Funds and in co-operation with other Service charities. They identify and investigate eligible cases in "real need", and provide them with financial support. The people they support include those with disabilities or mental illness, people experiencing homelessness or unemployment, and older people.
About Help for Heroes
Help For Heroes was the idea of Appeal Chairman Bryn Parry and a group of friends and relations, many of who have connections with serving servicemen and women. Bryn and his wife Emma wanted to do something to help the wounded and came up with the idea of a sponsored bike ride. They mentioned it to some friends who mentioned it to some more friends and suddenly Help For Heroes was born and growing fast. A flurry of visits to various offices led to the campaign being blessed by the head of the army, Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt.
About British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association
BLESMA, full title British Limbless Ex-Service Man's Association, is a British Charity for disabled Ex-Service Men and Women, their dependants and Widows. The Association works to assist Service Men and Women who have lost a limb or limbs, or one or both eyes, or the use of limbs as a result of service in any branch of Her Majesty's Forces or Auxiliary Forces and to provide help and support, where called upon to their dependants. The organization can also offer help to service personnel who have lost limbs after leaving the service. BLESMA provides assistance to thousands of disabled Ex-Sevice Men and Women of all ages, ranging from veterans of World War II, through to those injured in present day conflicts and peace keeping missions.
About St Dunstan's
St Dunstan’s is a national charity providing welfare support, rehabilitation, training, respite and nursing care for blind and seriously visually impaired ex-Service men and women. Our specialist training and support is designed to help them to regain their independence and go on to live active, fulfilling lives. We're partners for life, helping not just St Dunstaners, but also their families, who often need support or advice in their own right. We adapt our approach to meet individual’s needs and welcome them into the St Dunstan’s family; teaching new skills, resolving housing issues, assisting with benefit claims and providing a thriving sporting and social network.
About The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to all members of the RAF family. We are here to help serving and former members of the RAF, as well as their partners and dependants, whenever they need us.
