Taffy goes out to support Help for Heroes

9:07am Friday 9th May 2008

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SOLDIERS based at Tidworth's Lucknow Barracks were out in force at Tesco on Saturday raising funds for two military charities.

The soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh shook buckets and packed away shopping at the Station Road store to raise money for The Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes.

The soldiers were accompanied by Taffy - which gave the public a rare opportunity of meeting the regimental mascot up close.

On this occasion Taffy, who regularly meets VIPs such as the Queen and other royals, was on his best behaviour and under the watchful eye of Corporal Mark Jackson as he greeted visitors.

The soldiers raised a total of £1,619 which will be split between the two charities with £1,012 going to the fund and Help for Heroes receiving £607.

Help for Heroes' is a new charity, with offices in Tidworth, that has been formed to help servicemen and women who have been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh spent six months in Iraq last year where they sustained a number of casualties including three men killed during the summer months.