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Latest News - Greyhound tracks doing their bit for British troops abroad
21/05/2010
Recently at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield some extraordinary guests made their way into the stadium, by parachute! Coloured smoke filled the air as members of Fourth Battalion the Parachute Regiment entered the greyhound track at a military fundraising night. The event was held in support of injured soldiers' charity Help for Heroes (HFH) and raised £7,000 which will help fund a specialist recovery centre at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
Despite the recent chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud, the paras' display was able to go ahead using a low-flying aircraft. Soldiers in dress uniforms carrying swords also helped launch the evening’s card, while buglers from Commission Commandment of the Rifles were on hand to start each of the races in true military-style.
A Good Excuse joins buglers Lieutenant James Burgoyne (left) and Rifleman John Goose
As well as regular racegoers, those attending included senior army officers and local supporters of the charity. There was music in the new 300 seater restaurant from the Yorkshire Reserve military band and the night ended with a live charity auction, where one person won a chance to take part in their own military parachute jump.
Manager Director at Owlerton, John Gilburn said, "We had a fantastic turn-out to mark this very special occasion at the stadium and it was an honour to be in the presence of some of the bravest soldiers who are so fiercely admired in Yorkshire.
"It is a truly deserving cause which Owlerton is dedicated to and I am very proud that the event managed to raise such a fantastic amount of money."
The people of Peterborough showed similar support for British troops abroad at a separate HFH fundraising night at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium. Guest of honour at the stadium was Lance Corporal Daniel Twiddy (29), from Stamford, who was injured in Iraq in 2003 while serving with the Royal Fusiliers. With entry fees, donations collected on the night by Air Training Corps cadets and a raffle – with prizes including the use of a Jaguar XF for the weekend – it raised £8,500.
A silent auction was also held where one remarkable lot was purchased for £1300. An Edward VII postbox, used in Exeter from 1901 to 1910, was bought by local businessman Derek Asplin. Royal Mail donated the de-commissioned postbox as a symbol of their free forces postal service for soldiers deployed abroad.
Luckily for Mr Asplin, members of Peterborough’s 158 Royal Anglians Transport Regiment were on hand to transport the 7ft, 1.5 ton postbox to their front garden in Folksworth!
Army volunteers make a special delivery to Mr Asplin's
Maggie Perkins, HFH Fundraiser said, “We must acknowledge the amazing support from the men and young cadets from 51 Orton Squadron Air Training Corps and Royal Anglicans Transport Regiment. They are a credit to our city. We would also like to think the people of Peterborough.
"Their generosity and that of Richard and Robert Perkins helped us raise a great amount."
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