‘Hoo-Ra’

   

Private Jaco van Gass tells the story of the wounded heroes who competed in the 35th U.S. MARINE CORPS MARATHON

Sunday 31st October 2010, 0700 in the beautiful city of Washington DC. Watching the sunrise as we wait at the start, our team of five is confident but the inevitable anxiety is making itself known.  We have a long way to go and are all desperate to get started.  We stand to attention for the US national anthem, the supporting crowd cheers and with a final salute it’s time to start the race.  

Our journey began on the previous Thursday at Heathrow Airport, where the team (Capt Mike Kerrigan, Cpl Peter McCoombe, Cpl Tom Neathway, Pte Kierhan Dry and Pte Jaco van Gass) formed up.  All but Mike had been wounded in Afghanistan and therefore the team had a special interest in raising awareness and funds for the Parachute Regiment Charity … Read more  

 

 

St George rides again in the City in support of the Charity

st george

On April 23rd 2010, The Parachute Regiment took part in the St George’s Day Pageant in the City of London, organised by the Armourers & Brasiers Company. The Band, Colours and mascot of the Regiment marched with St George on horseback and members of the Worshipful Company.

This revives a tradition not seen in the City since 1585, and will benefit The Parachute Regiment Charity and the Gauntlet Trust of the Armourers & Brasiers Company. For more information see www.stgeorgespageant.org

 

 

Guildhall Para Charity Dinner

 

The Helium Foundation ran a Gala Dinner in aid of The Parachute Regiment Charity in June at the Guildhall in the City of London. Electric classical quartet Escala  entertained diners, and Maj Gen Jonathan Shaw CBE, Colonel Commandant gave an address. Each table was joined by a serving officer/NCO. An auction was held for some fabulous and sought after lots, including a unique Parachute Regiment watch created by Ellicott.

Support from Braveheart

  

Godfrey McFall OBE  presented The Parachute Regiment Charity, with a cheque for £1000. In April ’10 Godfrey successfully completed the 200-mile Coast To Coast walk,  to raise money for The Braveheart Programme and The Parachute Regiment Charity. 

The cheque was presented in the Trafalgar Inn, the last military pub in Aldershot, owned by Gary Grant,  Treasurer of The Braveheart Programme. This registered charity was founded in April 2009 by three former members of 1 PARA (Gary Grant, Tim Reilly and Milos Stankovic). 
Its main objective is to commission and fund research into Combat Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CR-PTSD) in order to better inform both the institutions that formulate national policy in this area and organisations that are delivering healthcare solutions to sufferers of this condition. www.braveheartprogramme.org