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Mother’s Mercian fundraiser pays off
sp93057 �2000 to Mercian regiment
THE MOTHER of a serving soldier in Afghanistan has expressed delight after handing over £2,000 to her son’s regiment.
Lorrain Brown began fundraising for the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment in September when the troop was deployed to Helmand Province for a six-month tour of duty. Her son, 20-year-old Private Jamie Mumby from Darley Dale, is fulfilling his boyhood dream by serving as a soldier on the frontline.
With the help of her colleagues at Derbyshire Dales District Council, Lorrain pulled in the pounds by selling camouflaged-coloured rubber wristbands bearing the regiment’s motto, ‘Stand Firm, Strike Hard’, as well as holding a successful bric-a-brac stall at the Darley Dale Festival of Transport.
Every penny of the cash raised will go directly to helping those involved in the regiment, including the soldiers and their families.
The money was handed over to the Mercian Regiment’s Brigadier Andrew Williams at a special ceremony at Matlock Town Hall on Thursday.
District council chief executive David Wheatcroft was in attendance, as was Lorrain’s work colleagues and even the regimental mascot ram, L/Cpl Derby.
Lorrain said: “We had a last push this week and made it to the £2,000 mark, selling the wrist bands.
“We are extremely pleased with what we’ve raised but it’s not finished yet.
“The 2 Mercian were going to Afghanistan and the whole point of the Mercian is that they are like a family in themselves, so this was like giving extra support to them.”
Prior to handing over the cheque, Mr Wheatcroft said: “We’d just like to say a big thank you, but the process has not stopped.
“We hear a lot about what people getting killed but hear less about casualties and it’s very important to support and look after them because they have given a lot to us as a country and as individuals.”
A grateful Brigadier Andrew Williams added: “The money is immensely appreciated by the soldiers, for some of them it could mean all the difference between struggling and being able to hold their heads up in a dignified manner.”
n With the fundraising drive continuing, wristbands are still available from the Mercury office in Firs Parade for £2 each.
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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