Coventry City Football Charity Event

A charity football match in memory of soldiers who have died in Afghanistan is to be held at the Ricoh Arena next month.

Sergeant Simon Valentine from Bedworth, Lance Corporal James Fullarton and Fusilier Shaun Bush from Coventry, Fusilier Louis Carter from Nuneaton, Corporal Joey Etchells from Mosely, Fusilier Simon Annis from Salford and Fijian-born Fusilier Pat Suesue were members of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Their colleagues from the Fusiliers will line-up against a team from Central Networks’ Hinckley depot in a match organised by Central Networks engineer and former Fusilier Paddy Healy, on Friday, May 7, at 6pm.
All proceeds from the 90-minute match will go to Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion, The Royal Fusiliers Aid Society and The Forces Children’s Trust.
After a hard fought football match held at the Coventry City Football Ground on Friday 7 May, the greater fitness and football ability of the 2nd Battalion team managed by Captain Will Blinco shone brightly against a civilian team fielded by the Eon (electricity providers) firm.

The score line was 3 - 1 to the Fusiliers.

This charity event organized by Mrs Carol Valentine, mother of the late Sgt Simon Valentine, and Ex serving Fusilier Paddy Healy was an outstanding occasion and a fitting tribute to the memory of the "Magnificent Seven" Fusiliers who were killed in Afghanistan last year.
The Regiment is deeply grateful to Mr Paddy Healy of Eon Network (and a former Fusilier) who was also a main driving force in the organisation of this excellent occasion which was attend by The Right Honourable Bob Ainsworth, the Lord Lieutenant and many serving and former Fusiliers.
In all over 2000 people attended and the Fusilier Aid Society benefited considerably.

Eon as a Company must also be thanked for the tremendous support and generosity they showed. A fuller report will in the next Fusilier News.

Money is still coming in as a result of the event. Cheques have been raised for £3250 each to the following four charities; Fallen Fusiliers, Help For Heros, Royal British legion, and The Forces Children’s Trust.

 

Central Branch Dinner MTA Donation

20/03/2010 saw the annual Central Branch dinner held in Coventry. The occasion marked the presentation of a number of cheques of which we see here the Regimental Secretary Brig, Ian Liles and L/Col Keith kiddie receiving a cheque from Mr Bob Hunt president of the Manufacturing Technologies Association for the sum of £4,200.00 collected from annual dinner in March.

The dinner was held in London and those present were in awe of a fine display by Drum/Maj Foy and the 2nd Btn Corps of Drums.

After final victory beating they marched off to a well-deserved standing ovations from the 450 guests, after which Matt Dawson England and British Lions was quoted as saying "That as an after dinner speaker this was undoubtedly the hardest act he ever had to follow, and it was his privilege and pleasure to do so".
In total the MTA during 2010 raised a total of £6,000 for the Fallen Fusiliers.

National Memorial Arboretum

Late September 2010 saw the gathering of the Cadet Forces Association and representatives for the dedication of the Cadet Memorial stone in memory of fallen former Cadets at the National Memorial Arboretum Staffordshire.

It was moving ceremony which was led by the Chapel of the Army Cadet Forces Association with wreaths being laid by various representatives.

Mrs Carol Valentine and Ms Denise Carter laid a wreath on behalf of their sons who both started their military service as Cadets in the Warwickshire Cadet Force before enlisting as Fusiliers.

NIA Dinner for the national association of material handling exhibition

Major Lee Bott of the Fallen Fusilier supported a dinner in Birmingham for the National Association of Material Handling Exhibition. Unfortunately due to commitments the 1st Btn Corps of Drums RRF had to withdraw support for the event and as a late replacement the 2nd Btn Corp of Drums PWRR assisted.

As a result of the evening £15,000 was raised for military charities, of which £7,000 was given to Major Bott to distribute to the Fallen Fusilier and PWRR Wellfair Fund.

The pictures show the presentation of the cheque for £3,500 received by Major Mark Hughes Btn 2ic 2nd Btn PWRR at St James Palace London where at present the Btn is mounting public duty’s. Accompanying Major Bott for the day was Mr David Owen MBE chairman of the Warwickshire Museum.

Minden Band

The Minden Band played at Warwick School in support of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Warwickshire) on Wednesday evening, also 1st.

B attalion attended displaying weapons for the public to view, the evening was followed with dinner in the Pyne room, the event concluded with an auction, raising almost £6000.00 lots included a day for two on the regimental ship "Fusilier", a VIP trip to RAF Cosford, tea on the veranda at the House of Commons, thanks to all for the support and funds raised.