JJ’s memorial fund’s been helping many

Whilst reading the list below, we would like to publicise our next annual event which is on June 30 in Southam. The Parachute regiment will hold a stretcher race at 5pm along the main street and the Red Devils will be completing a display at 8pm.

We would like to share with you some of the areas we have been able to provide a small amount of assistance to injured personnel and the families of those killed in action:

n A minibus – we have purchased this in order to provide transport to take the injured from camp to hospital and general wheelchair friendly transport to allow amputees to go horse riding.

n Jeff Doherty (trustee) takes on average five trips a month to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham to provide emotional support to both the injured and their families. To date, he has claimed no expenses for fuel for these trips which date back three years. The charity have provided 25 iPads to the injured, Jeff also takes bouquets of flowers to the mothers at their sons’ bedsides.

n Over 1,400 goodie boxes to Afghanistan to troops serving in the Parachute Regiment, in 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalion.

n An injured 2 Para gentleman, who lost the use of his arm in an IED explosion was provided with a robotic hand, he has had 53 operations to date but now, thanks to the charity, he is able to pick items up, hold a pen and ride his motorbike. The charity also funded specially designed kitchen utensils and pots and pans so he is able to cook and eat without burning himself.

n The four-year-old daughter of a paratrooper with Smiths-Magenis syndrome had her bedroom padded to prevent her from continually injuring herself.

n The five-year-old daughter of a paratrooper who suffers from Quadraplegic MS received a donation towards her operation in America which has resulted in her finally being able to take her first steps.

n Five donations to Parachute Regiment families. Four to assist with bereavement, a financial hardship due to illness.

n Numerous floral tributes to funerals.

In the future we are looking at funding and training an amputee polo team and to take more injured servicemen riding for the disabled in Warwickshire.- Kara Deakin, JJ’s Memorial Fund.