HAVERCAKE ALE - Celebrating the return of Yorkshire's finest

The Regional Office were invited to the launch of Havercake Ale, brewed by Timothy Taylors to celebrate the return of the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment back form Afghanistan. Soldiers from the Regiment, formally the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, have always been affectionatley nicknamed 'The Havercake Lads' derived from the oatmeal bread cake which for centuries was a staple food for the Yorkshire Pennine towns and villages. Timothy Taylor have always had close ties with the Regiment and Havercake Ale was first brewed in 2002 to celebrate the Tercentenary of the Regiment. Havercake Ale will be available soon in selected Pubs across Yorkshire, and for every pint sold 10p will be donated to ABF The Soldiers' Charity and The Yorkshire Regiment. The 3rd Battalion have been serving in Afghanistan since mid-February and are due to return home very soon, no doubt the soldiers will be looking forward to a well deserved pint of Havercake Ale. A huge thank you must go to Charles Dent and his team at Timothy Taylors for a wonderful and thoughtful way to celebrate the return of the Regiment and raise some much needed funds too.

GREAT NORTH RUN - Sunday 16 September

Good luck to over 50 runners who will be taking part in Sunday's Great North Run in aid of ABF The Soldiers' Charity. We hope you all have a safe and successful race. The Regional Office will be at the finish, so look out for the charity flag and come and say hi. Good luck everyone.

TEAM SKIPTON ROTARY - LEJOG

ABF The Soldiers' Charity Regional Office would like to say a massive thank you to Team Skipton Rotaty who have just returned from 12 gruelling days cycling 1000 miles from Land's End to John O Groats raising money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity. teamskiptonrotary was made up from 4 Rotarian cyclists from the Rotary Club of Skipton - Kevin Wharton (Team Leader), David Goldie, Mark Facer, Dave Wathen and Chris Wharton, Kevin's son, who recorded the experience on film. We would also like to thank the team working behind teh scenes to support them and all those who turned up to see the team when they passed through Skipton last Wednesday. Well done to you all, look forward to celebrating with you soon.

PARAS 10

ABF The Soldiers Charity in partnership with the Parchute Regiment Charity enjoyed a very successful PARAS 10 on Sunday 9 September and we would like to thank all the runners who took part to raise money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity

SALUTE OUR HEROES RACE DAY

On Thursday 6th September Sedgefield race course held a special day of racing, and all proceeds were shared between two charities: SSAFA Forces Help and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity both committed to helping and supporting serving and former members of our armed forces. ABF The Soldiers Charity sponsored The John Amer and Michael Sweeney Memorial Novices Hurdle Race, and it was great to have reprentatives from the families there to enjoy a great day of racing and they were also asked to choose the best turned out horse and present the trophy to the winning owner. For the past two years Sedgefield race course has held an annual race day for the Charities, each race day raising £8000 resulting in £16000 being shared equally between these two worthy causes. In addition to a very busy life as General Manager of Sedgefield Racecourse, for the past three years Jill Williamson has thrown herself into the role of voluntary fundraiser and promoter for these essential charities. During the last two years Jill has raised in excess of £30,000 for The Soldiers’ Charity and had only just returned from another Quadathon cycle challenge. A special thanks to Jill, the team at Sedgefield Racecourse and Maj Eric Ingram Chairman of the North East Committee for orgainsing such a fantastic day.

SALUTE OUR HEROES CONCERT

On Saturday 22 September and for the fifth successive year at The Sage in Gateshead, ABF The Soldiers Charity will present an outstanding evening, showcasing some of the best Military Bands and excellent singers. Taking part in the Sage concert will be: Catterick Garrison WAGS Choir HCAV & Cambri Band 102 Battalion REME Pipe Band Clan na nGael Itish Dancers George Colley Singers Julie Pendleton Alison Cochlan Nicola Cassells John Rowland Ellie & Vicki Guillory Compère Alasdair Hutton writer and narrator of the Royal Military Edinburgh Tattoo The concert is full of variety and quality entertainment set before a spectacular backdrop, including a “Last Night of the Proms” section complete with lots of flag waving. The show will also feature a James Bond medley, which will open with ‘Jaws’ and a damsel in distress who will be rescued by a Chelsea Pensioner. Star Wars will also feature prominently, in fact there will be around 20 Star Wars characters including Darth Vader, Princess Leah and a troop of Storm Troopers. Tickets at £20 and £15 (concessions) from Sage Ticket Office 0191 443 4661

Catterick Race Day

On Tuesday 7 August over a thousand soliders and their famliles came along to enjoy a free day out at Catterick Races. The day couldn't have been better, bright sunshine and clear blue sky. Aimed at familes, there was lots of things to entertain the children including a fairground, face painting, bouncy castles and mini olympic games kindly provided by Richmondshire Leisure Trust. Catterick Race Day was a joint venture with ABF The Soldiers' Charity and SSAFA a great opportunity to promote the close working relationship of these two service charities and raise some much needed funds too. The Soldiers's Charity ambassadors Gdsm Dave Watson and LCpl Mark Harding came along to present the trophy to the winning owners and trainer of the ABF The Soldiers Charity Stakes. Gdsm Watson also brought his olympic Torch which proved a hit with everyone including The Soldiers's Charity staff! A great day was enjoyed by all and we are very grateful to Catterick Racecourse for their support and help in making it so successful.

24 Hours Stairs Run for Army Charities

Former soldier and fantastic fundraiser Paul Carpenter, took part in a 24 hour run up and down a seven-storey staircase at Number 1, Whitehall building in Leeds. Paul's aim is to raise £9000.00 for ABF The Soldiers' Charity and the Royal British Legion. Paul started his challenge at 10am on Friday 20 July and finished at 10am the next day. Several office workers from the building also joined paul for a stint on the stairs. The two charities are close to his heart after 23 years of service in the Royal Logistic Corps. The Regional Office of ABF The Soldiers Charity would like to thank him for his amazing achievement and dedictation to fundraising for us.

ARMY WAGS CYCLE IN TANDEM FOR CHARITY

Emma Ennis, 28, wife of Lance Sgt Edward Ennis, of 1 Scots Guards, Catterick Garrison, is cycling from John o’ Groats to Lands Ends. Her 973-mile marathon started on Monday, July 23, ending on August 6. Up to 30 wives and girlfriends of 1 Scots Guards will be supporting her by taking it in turns to cycle the equivalent distance on three static bikes outside Tesco, Catterick Garrison, on July 27 and 28, starting 9am each day. All the money raised is for military charities. Emma said: “1 Scots Guards had such a hard time in Afghanistan last time and Edward lost a good friend. You just feel so helpless yet desperate to try to do something to help. That’s how this fund-raising idea was borne. And once they heard about it, the wives and girlfriends didn’t need any persuading. They were so enthusiastic. “When I’m out on the road, it’ll be a great boost to me knowing they will be pedalling away and raising money on the static bikes here in the Garrison. I am so proud of them.” The target is to raise £5,000. Proceeds to be divided between the following three: ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, SSAFA – Forces Help (The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Assoc) and 1 Scots Guards Colonels Fund.

Mercian Memorial March - 150-mile March for Fallen Comrades

Soldiers based at Marne Barracks, Catterick Garrison, (including Cpl Mark Tonner, 29, who is still recovering from serious injuries caused by an improvised explosive device in 2010 in Afghanistan), are marching from their barracks to Chester Cathedral, a distance of 150 miles in four days to raise money for a memorial to their fallen comrades from the battalion, and for ABF – the Soldiers’ Charity. The men, from 1st Battalion the Mercian Regt (Cheshire) left Marne Bks at 6am on Tuesday, July 24, and will arrive Chester Cathedral 12 noon on Friday, July 27. The Battalion has always enjoyed strong support from the people of North Yorkshire. The route passes through the main recruiting area of 1 Mercian – including Manchester, Stockport and Warrington, we wish them all the best of luck.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE DAY

Calling all Schools to show your support to the Armed Forces on Friday 12 October 2012. RWB Day is a chance for your school to show support for families of our Armed Forced. By taking part you can raise money to support children who have Mums and Dads serving in the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force. To get involved you just need to have fun with red, white and blue, run a themed event, do a sponsored activity or enter our poetry competition. Sign up today on our website www.redwhiteblueday.co.uk

Para 10 K - Are you up for it?

ABF The Soldiers' Charity are delighted to announce that they have teamed up with The Parachute Regiment Charity for the first time to bring PARAS 10 to North Yorkshire. PARAS 10 is a multi-terrain event and wiill take place in Catterick Garrison on Sunday 9 September at 11.00am. You can enter for either the 10-mile endurance run or teh P Company Challenge, a 10 mile cross country march, carrying a bergen weighing 35lb, and wearing long trousers and 'military style' boots. The P Company Challenge is open to individuals and teams of four. To qualify to enter for PARAS 10 on behalf of ABF The Soldiers' Charity, we ask you to raise a minimum of £200.00 sonsorship. Please go to www.soldierscharity.org/PARAS10

Catterick Garrison Armed Forces Day

The Regional Office kindly assisted by the North Yorkshire Committee and the Catterick Cadets, enjoyed the first Catterick Garrison Armed Forces Day celebrationsm, organised by the Army Welfare Service. The day was free for families and had something for everyone, bouncy castles, reptile show, magic show, jewellery making, bbq and ice-creams. Everyone had a great time despite the rain trying its hardest to dampen our spirits!

Beating Retreat

The North East & Yorkshire Regional Office invited a select group of supporters and volunteers, who often go that 'extra-mile' to support The Soldiers' Charity to a special evening in London. The evening kicked off with a wine reception in the Officers Mess at Wellington Barracks and afterwards all guest were invited to watch a Beating Retreat on Horseguards Parade. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and it's our way to say a 'Big Thank you' for all their hard work, dedication and enthusiam throughout the year to raise money for ABF The Soldiers' Charity.

Raisthorpe Charity Shoot

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity hit the target with their annual Clay Shoot at Raisthorpe On Monday 11 June Raisthorpe Manor was again the venue for this years’ Clay Pigeon Shoot for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in Yorkshire. This increasingly popular event drew a record entry of teams this year from all over the country, as well as locally. Renowned for its’ unhurried and friendly atmosphere, coupled with David Medforth’s imaginative course of drives, which included two new ones, teams this year enjoyed near perfect conditions. After a highly enjoyable and entertaining mornings’ shooting, teams were treated with the opportunity to meet a number of serving soldiers, many just returned from operations, and to view some of their equipment before enjoying a champagne reception and sumptuous lunch organised by Julia Medforth. During the lunch a highly successful charity auction was held which included a number of those prizes that money just can’t buy, including parachute jumps, and military experiences, together with the Raisthorpe version of Stand-up Bingo, Salute/No Salute! We are thrilled to have achieved a staggering total of £35,000.00 which is so needed to help our soldiers, former soldiers and their families.

Memorial Rugby Match

On Friday 8 June The Royal Artillery Rugby League Team held their annual Rugby Match in memory of Bdr Craig Hopson. The Royal Artillery played against Cutsyke Raiders at their ground in Castleford. Everyone had a brilliant night and they raised a fantastic total of £1100.00 for ABF The Soldiers' Charity, well done guys.

TESCO COLLECTION

The Regional Office supported by the Catterick Cadets and some very willing volunteers collected at the Tesco store in Catterick Garrison on Saturday 2 June. The collection raised a magnificent total of £1257.00. All money raised from the collection will go towards helping the families effected by the Falklands conflict and to mark the 30th Anniversary. A huge thank you to everyone who came along to help and to Tesco for allowing us to promote the work of The Soldiers' Charity.

Spring Fair Update

On Thursday 17 May, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity staged their annual Spring Fair at Tennants auction house in Leyburn. The event proved an enormous success at its’ new venue, having moved from Hovingham where it had previously been held for a number of years. Preceded by a reception for supporters of the Charity in Yorkshire and the North East on 16 May, the fair proved a real “hit” for visitors who steadily streamed through the door all day. Lt Col Brian de la Haye, the Charity’s Regional Director said, “We have been absolutely delighted with this, our first staging of the event here in Leyburn and the event raised £10,500.00. We have been so warmly received and are already making plans to continue the event next year.”

ABF The Soldiers' Charity at Otley Show

The Regional Team enjoyed a great day at the Otley Show at the end of May. The AFC Otley detachment came along to support the event and raised £583.00 for The Soldiers' Charity,well done to everyone to help and thank you so much for all your support

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Big Curry at the Claro Beagle

A big thank you goes to Gary Thomson who organised a Big Curry Night by kind permission of the Claro Beagle Pub in Harrogate. They raised £950.00 for ABF The Soldiers' Charity, which is a fantastic amount of money. Well done to everyone involved.

Thirsk Race Night

ABF The Soldiers Charity enjoyed a great night at Thirsk Race Course on Sat 12 May. Many soldiers and their families enjoyed free entry and a good night of racing. The event was supported by Army Foundation College at Harrogate who did a collection on the evening and raised a fanastic £1583.00, for The Soldiers' Charity, well done to all of them. A big thanks to Thirsk Race Course for their continued support.

Spring Fair at Tennants of Leyburn: Thursday 17 May

The Regional Office are looking forward to their annual Spring Fair on Thursday 17 May at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn. Doors open at 10am, £4.00 entry, free car parking. Come along and see a variety of stalls from jewellery, food and drink, arts and crafts and much more. Enter our free prize draw to win a case of exclusive wine.

Catterick Big Curry

Come along and support ABF The Soldiers' Charity
'Catterick Big Curry' event

On Thursday 19 April at the Richmond Centre from 1200 -1345 hrs.

Enjoy a curry and naan bread for only £2.00, all proceeds towards 'The Soldiers' Charity'.

All Military and MOD personnel very welcome.

The event is being kindly sponsored by Tesco, Sodexo and The Yorkshire Dales Meat Company.

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who came along to support the 'Catterick Big Curry', we raised £945.00 for The Soldiers' Charity.

Middleham Stables Launch

Thanks to 9 Sqn AAC (Woody and The Stig) from Dishforth for dropping into RAF Topcliffe yesterday for a photo shoot to launch the Middleham Open day on 6th April 2012. Woody and The Stig are pictured with just some of the owners and trainers from the horse racing community in the North Yorkshire area of Middleham who will be fundraising for ABF Soldiers' Charity.

Welcome to our new blog

This is the new blog site for ABF The Soldiers' Charity North East and Yorkshire Region. We hope to keep you up-to-date with all that is happening in the region, and hope you can get involved.