Look To The Stars News: Help for Heroes

Andy McNab Fights For Combat Stress

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Author and former SAS soldier Andy McNab has written a column in Britain’s The Telegraph newspaper calling on public support for Combat Stress, the ex-Services mental welfare society.

“With thousands of members of the Armed Forces returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rising dramatically,“ wrote McNab, who became a bestselling author after writing Bravo Two Zero in 1993. “I served in the British Army for 18 years: eight as an infantry solider, and 10 in the SAS. I have been captured and tortured as a prisoner of war in Iraq. I have been placed against a wall for a mock execution. I have stood beside friends as they have been shot or blown up in the mud. I don’t think I suffer from PTSD, but I am very aware that I probably just got lucky.

“I’m a patron of Help for Heroes. We do a lot to help the physical wellbeing of injured soldiers, and we also work alongside the charity Combat Stress. But we need a lot more help if we are even going to begin to treat this condition properly. Combat Stress says it takes an average of 14 years before someone approaches its charity for help. And they usually do that only when their lives have already fallen apart.“

Combat Stress was set up over 80 years ago, and has provided over 75,000 veterans of war with a unique lifeline. Currently, they take on 700 new veterans every year, the youngest in their early twenties, the oldest in their nineties. They provide stays at treatment facilities, psychiatric support, and also occupational therapy to help veterans rebuild their lives and provide a break for their families.

“There is a mental health crisis facing those who have served our country,“ wrote McNab. “We need to act now, before we discover in another decade that more soldiers have killed themselves since returning from Iraq and Afghanistan than were killed there in action. Our veterans deserve our help, our understanding and a whole lot of respect. And what’s more, they need it now.“

For more information on Combat Stress, visit their website. McNab’s full column can be found at The Telegraph.

X Factor Charity Single Stays At The Top

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A remake of Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’ by finalists in this year’s X Factor competition has topped the British music charts for the second week in a row.

As reported earlier, the track was recorded to benefit Help for Heroes, which provides support for wounded servicemen and women, and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

“We’re doing this for one simple reason,” said Simon Cowell, who is behind the single’s release. “These are decent people who need a bit of help, a bit of support and all the proceeds of this record will go to these guys.”

The song has become the fastest selling charity release of the decade and the fastest selling single of 2008. British prime minister Gordon Brown has waived the usual 17.5 percent sales tax on each record sold, which means even more money than expected will go to charity.

The track is available through iTunes and wherever good music is sold.

X Factor Stars Top The Charts For Charity

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A remake of Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’ by finalists in this year’s X Factor competition is expected to become 2008’s fastest-selling single.

The track – which is currently the top seller at iTunes – was recorded to benefit Help for Heroes, which provides support for wounded servicemen and women, and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

“We predict it will become the fastest-selling single of this year,” added HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo. “Single releases tend not to be such a big event these days, but this one is definitely bucking the trend.”

The track is out now and ready to download.

Family Fun Days For Everyone This Weekend

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Two charity events are taking place on opposite sides of the Atlantic this weekend.

New Yorkers who want to get on their bikes can join Full Metal Jacket star Matthew Modine on his Bicycle For A Day campaign. The 49-year-old will be among cyclists pedaling off from lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport on Saturday, September 20, to raise awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions and to demonstrate the many simple things that each of us can do everyday to accomplish a cleaner world.

“The idea behind my project Bicycle for a Day is to help people understand that there is something they can do,“ he said. “In fact, just one simple thing they can do every day to become part of the solution. If everybody does this one thing, the cumulative effect could be tremendous. The environmental situation is a great opportunity for us all to work together to find solutions. Bicycle for a Day is just that – citizens of the world joining together globally and acting locally.”

Celebrity supporters of the campaign include Heather Graham, John McEnroe, Lara Flynn Boyle, Liev Schreiber and Liam Neeson, and anybody interested in joining the fun can visit www.bicycleforaday.org for more information.

A day of fun of a different kind is set to take place in the UK on September 21. The Day for Heroes Family Fun Day will go off with a bang in the Detling Show Ground near Maidstone on Sunday, and will feature British boyband McFly.

Celebrities, artists and the military are joining forces to give families a day out to remember, whilst raising essential funds for Help for Heroes. Compered by Cheryl Baker and Shaun Williamson, the day will be packed with entertainment and thrills. A parachute display team of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment will open the show with a spectacular entrance. There will also be 20 free funfair rides – including the ultimate experience reverse bungee power shot – and entertainment including military-based attractions such as aircraft simulators, parachute display teams and a challenging inflatable army assault course.

Help for Heroes was launched in October 2007 in response to the desire of ordinary people to do something practical to help our wounded servicemen and women. Celebrity supporters of the charity include TV show hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May (Top Gear), Prince Harry and Prince William, Simon Cowell, and Sharon Osbourne. David Beckham is also a supporter, saying: “I am incredibly proud and grateful for the commitment and work that our armed forces do for our country. I support the campaign fully.“

For ticket information and more information, visit www.dayforheroes.com.

Royals To Attend James Bond Premiere

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince William and Prince Harry will do their best for Her Majesty’s Secret Service when they attend the world premiere of the 22nd James Bond film – Quantum of Solace – in October.

The premiere will take place on October 29 at London’s Odeon Cinema on Leicester Square and – at the request of the princes – will benefit Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion. Joining the two Royals on the red carpet will be the film’s leading actors Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, and Gemma Arterton.

“We are thrilled Prince William and Prince Harry have agreed to attend the world premiere of our latest James Bond film,” said the film’s producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. “[We] are pleased this event will help raise much needed funds to support the servicemen of our country through The Princes’ chosen charities.”

Help for Heroes is a charity aimed at helping injured service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan launched in October of 2007. It raised £6 million (US$12 million) within its first nine months to help provide a swimming pool and gym complex at the tri-services rehabilitation centre in Surrey, and now continue to raise money to ensure that the wounded get the best practical help and support available.

The Royal British Legion was established in 1921 to protect the interests, welfare and memory of those who are currently serving, or have served, in the Armed Forces and their dependants. Nearly 10.5 million people of all ages are eligible for the Legion’s support, and the call on the charity’s welfare services is increasing.

Quantum of Solace is released internationally on October 31.

Martin Johnson To Pull On The Sprigs For Charity

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former captain of the English rugby team Martin Johnson will lace up his boots one more time for charity.

Johnson, the new manager of the English team, has agreed to play in the Help for Heroes match at Twickenham in September that will raise money for British service personnel injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. He will line up in the Heroes XV alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, making it the first time the two players haved played together since their triumphant 2003 World Cup final.

“When Lawrence asked me to play, I didn’t hesitate, ” said Johnson, who retired from playing in 2005. ” I’ve kept myself fit. This will be the first and, I’m sure, the last time that I will play in a competitive match. The cause is a superb one.”

The Rugby Football Union has donated the use of Twickenham for the match – the first time they have ever done so. Dallaglio will captain the Heroes XV in the charity game, while the International XV will be skippered by Scott Gibbs.

“Our target is to reach a sell-out at Twickenham and to raise £1 million for Help for Heroes, so I urge everyone to do their bit, buy a ticket and enjoy a good day out for an excellent cause,” said Johnson.

The match will take place on September 20, and more players will be announced next week.

Help For Heroes Gets Royal Treatment

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:30:27 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Help for Heroes is certainly living up to its name. The charity aimed at helping injured service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan launched in October of 2007 with an initial goal of raising $12 million. With help from the community, various fundraisers and celebrities, Help for Heroes, has managed to raise a staggering $6 million in little under five months.

“I am incredibly proud and grateful for the commitment and work that our armed forces do for our country”, said soccer star David Beckham. “I support the campaign fully.”

On May 7, City Salute will host an event to benefit Help for Heroes, and has already attracted two notable British citizens – Prince William and Prince Harry.

“As brothers, we are delighted to be supporting the City of London in saluting all those who serve their country,” said Prince William. “As well as raising money for vital rehabilitation facilities, City Salute is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the fantastic contribution made by our servicemen and women and their families. It is also a chance to pay tribute to the casualty evacuation and medical staff of all three Services who protect and care for the wounded so brilliantly and with such tireless dedication.”

Prince Harry, who just returned from serving in Afghanistan, spoke of the real heroes he met on his flight home to England. “There were two injured guys who came back on the plane with us who were essentially comatose throughout the whole way. One had lost two limbs – a left arm and a right leg – and the other was saved by his mate’s body being in the way but took shrapnel to the neck. Those are the heroes. Those were guys who had been blown up by a mine that they had no idea about, serving their country, doing a normal patrol. It is a choke in your throat because you know that it’s happening.”

Other celebrities who are supporting Help for Heroes include musician James Blunt, actor Michael Caine, American Idol’s Simon Cowell, and Sharon Osbourne.

Stars from the sports world, including Chelsea captain John Terry and rugby player Jonny Wilkinson have also been wearing wristbands, and the entire England soccer squad donated their match fees from their Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia to the charity. Look for players from 18 Premiere League teams to be wearing Help for Heroes wristbands on Remembrance Sunday Weekend.

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