19/11/2010

Ex Soldiers To Boost Front Line Morale

Northern Ireland soldiers serving in Afghanistan are to get a New Year boost with help from ex-servicemen at home.

Supporters in Whiteabbey Royal British Legion are running a weekend charity fundraiser to get as much cash together as possible to fill bags of 'extras' that will go to front line troops serving in the Royal Irish Regiment and Irish Guards in Afghanistan.

Cabaret singers and a band are to perform free of charge on Friday night (26th November) so that all the ticket money can be used for the good cause.

With entertainment organised by Monkstown man George Campbell, the night also promises to be great 'craic' with around 200 people attending the last such event, which was held to benefit Help For Heroes, another services' charity - raising over £1,000.

Whiteabbey Royal British Legion Vice Chairman, John Dumigan - himself a former UDR soldier and a past Chairman of the Royal British Legion (Northern Ireland) - who is organising the function, said: "We intend to work closely with the relatives of our soldiers in order to directly target the ordinary troops.

"Assuming sufficient funds are raised we will be filling bags with little luxury items, such as crisps and snacks, and a range of other useful 'shopping' and asking individual relatives to take advantage of the forces' own postal system to get the shopping delivered direct to their loved ones."

He said this would avoid any waste and would see more effective targeting - and "give our boys a New Year fillip and a 'fill-up' too".

Entry to Friday evening's event at Whiteabbey Royal British Legion (pictured), Shore Road, Whiteabbey, will be £3 and all proceeds will be used to buy the treats and extra comforts for the serving soldiers.

See: Cash For Afghanistan

See: Tragic RIR Soldier Honoured In Commons

(BMcC/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

02 November 2011
Ambassador To Join Cross Border WWI Event
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne this weekend to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
10 October 2011
UK Ambassador To Honour Irish Soldiers
The British Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
05 November 2010
Tricolour To Honour British War Veterans
The Irish Tricolour will fly tomorrow as Royal British Legion Standards are unfurled in Co Louth to remember British Army war dead from across Ireland.
23 June 2010
Younger Generation Recall The Somme
School children will join Chelsea Pensioners and other 'old soldiers' this Sunday to commemorate those from County Antrim and from across Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme in 1916.
26 June 2009
Knockagh Remembrance Recalls Somme
Soldiers from across Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme are being remembered this weekend. Taking place at what is one of the most picturesque settings anywhere for a commemoration - high above Belfast Lough at the County Antrim War Memorial, Knockagh - it will be held on Sunday 28 June.