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