The Soldiers raise £271,000 for Service charities
23 August 2010
Sergeant Major Gary Chilton, Sergeant Richie Maddocks and Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi - otherwise known as 'The Soldiers' - have raised a whopping £271,000 from album sales and their UK tour to split between three Armed Forces charities, The Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes and the Army Benevolent Fund.
Their debut album, 'Coming Home', was released in October last year, and they performed at the Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November in front of the Queen and members of the Royal family.
The Soldiers' generous donation was made at Kneller Hall in Twickenham last Friday and Russell Thompson, the Legion's Director of National Events and Fundraising was on hand to receive a cheque for £90,300.
Russell Thompson OBE, The Royal British Legion; Mark Elliott, Help for Heroes; Sgt Richie Maddocks, L/Cpl Ryan Idzi & Sgt Maj Gary Chilton, The Soldiers; Lt Col Tim Coles MBE, ABF The Soldiers Charity
The video below, courtesy of British Forces News, shows the cheque presentation and interviews with Russell Thompson, other charity representatives and The Soldiers.
The Soldiers, who are all serving soldiers, are already planning their next album and are inviting Camp Bastion troops to sing on their next single. Proceeds from this will also go to Armed Forces charities.
Website: www.the-soldiers.co.uk
