1st March is a day for those who live in Wales, and Welsh people all over the world, to celebrate their unique culture and history, through food, poetry, art, and music, and of course the national emblems of daffodils, leeks and dragons!

  • Help for Heroes’ Community Recovery team with the charity’s CEO Melanie Waters

In Wales, Help for Heroes’ Community Recovery Team based in Treforest, near Pontypridd, delivers life-changing services to wounded, injured and sick Armed Forces personnel and veterans throughout the year.

Recovery Manager Shelley Elgin says, “Our key workers, veterans’ clinical liaison, fellowship and sports coordinators travel across Wales and Hereford providing holistic support to men and women whose lives have been affected by their military service.

“Help for Heroes relies on the generosity of the public to fund our work, which simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our volunteers and fundraisers across the nation.”

  • Help for Heroes fundraisers, Dan and Laura Curtis from Caerphilly

This St David’s Day, the charity is encouraging everyone to sign up to a fundraising challenge which is the brainchild of a husband and wife songwriting duo, Dan and Laura Curtis from Caerphilly, who were first inspired to support Help for Heroes when they met Invictus Games athletes in Florida in 2016.

Then, in 2018, after months of planning and gathering content from all over the world, the couple released an incredible fundraising single.

‘The Hero – A West End, Broadway and Hollywood Tribute’ featured spoken contributions by Sir Paul McCartney, Sir David Jason, Dame Judi Dench, Henry Cavill and many more stars of stage and screen.

The song raised over £10,000 for Help for Heroes and Dan and Laura have continued their proud support of the charity in Wales, attending an Invictus Games Welcome Home ceremony at The Senedd, Bake for Heroes at the Community Recovery Office and the #40ThousandStrong campaign launch in Caerphilly.

  • Dan Curtis with Help for Heroes Sports Recovery Coordinator Nick Vanderpump in Caerphilly for #40ThousandStrong campaign launch

In 2020, Dan and Laura have decided to launch another awesome fundraiser for Help for Heroes, and this is one everyone can be a part of.

On Monday 22nd June they’re asking supporters to mark the start of Armed Forces Week by going head to head in logging their everyday distances for Help for Heroes. This can be on foot, bicycle, on a rowing machine or wheelchair – the only rule is, no engines are allowed!

Individuals can take part, or groups can set up a team to compete with other schools, clubs, and businesses.

Called the Dragon Challenge, every mile helps to raise awareness and funds for the work Help For Heroes delivers. Everyone’s encouraged to lace up and log on to record anything from your school’s daily mile, your walk to the corner shop or perhaps even organise your own team fundraising event to complete the equivalent of a 1027 mile lap of Wales.

Dan Curtis says, “We are delighted to continue our support of Help For Heroes through the Dragon Challenge. We hope to raise much needed awareness and funds for the vital work that the charity undertakes. We have a profound personal gratitude for all those who have served and continue to serve.”

  • Help for Heroes fundraising volunteers in Caerphilly

Find out more about the Dragon Challenge, and sign up to take part here:  https://www.worldmentalhealthday2020.com/dragon-challenge

Listen again to the incredible song by Dan, Laura and a stellar cast from the West End, to Broadway, via Hollywood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvfUuLYmM3g

ABOUT HELP FOR HEROES

·         At Help for Heroes, we believe those who serve our country deserve support when they’re wounded.

·         Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds; their lives changed forever.

·         We help them, and those still serving, to recover and get on with their lives. We give them physical, psychological, career, financial and welfare support for as long as they need it. We also support their families, because they too can be affected by their loved one’s wounds.

·         We receive almost no funding from the Government, which means we rely on the spirit and generosity of the great British public, our partners and volunteers to keep going. Rest assured, we continue to put pressure on the Government to do more.

·         So far, with your help, we’ve supported more than 22,000 people, but we know that many more still need us. We won’t stop until every wounded veteran gets the support they deserve.

To get support from Help for Heroes in Wales & Hereford go to  https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support/how-to-access-our-services/recovery-in-wales/

images (c) Help for Heroes / Dan & Laura Curtis