20 Nov Braintree residents raise £1,000 in aid of Help for Heroes
A Help for Heroes campaign launched in Braintree town centre has raised £1,000, the charity has said.
A display made up of thousands of miniature figures was set up at George Yard Shopping Centre on Wednesday 30th November as part of the #40ThousandStrong campaign.
Each figure represents one of the 40,000 men and women who have been medically discharged from the Armed Forces over the last 20 years.
People were able to buy the figures in exchange for a donation to Help for Heroes.
The charity has thanked local businesses, Braintree District Council and the public for their support.
Volunteers were joined by Cllr Wendy Schmitt, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Armed Forces at Braintree District Council, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Korean War Veteran Herbert Hayward.
The event was so popular that Help for Heroes are bringing a section of their 40,000 Strong model force back to Braintree this weekend.
The mini installation will be at Braintree Village Shopping Outlet from 9am – 4pm, with member of the public able to pick up their own special edition boxed figure in exchange for a donation.
Julian North, Help for Heroes Recovery Manager in the East, said: “We are extremely grateful for the warm welcome and support that Braintree residents gave us recently. Injuries have derailed 40,000 military careers in the last 20 years and every day this number grows. Many tell us that their transition impacted significantly on their health, wellbeing and family. With your kind donation we can help all wounded veterans stand strong”.
