03 Mar 2008 | Ref. 080/2008
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CANOE DUO SPLASH FOR CASH TO HELP HEROES
FARNBOROUGH, Hampshire. – Forces charities could benefit to the tune of £200,000 when Major General Bill Moore and BAE Systems’ Judith Eastwood take part in one of the most gruelling canoe races in the world.
‘No Bridge Too Far’ is their entry in the 60th Anniversary Devizes-to-Westminster non-stop canoe marathon during 21-24 March 2008. The duo’s original target was £125,000 - £1,000 for every mile paddled – but they have already received pledges amounting to almost £170,000 for their chosen charities Help for Heroes, Soldiers Sailors and Air Forces Association (SSAFA) and the Army Benevolent Fund.
Major General Moore, who works at Wilton near Salisbury, is director of general logistics support and equipment for the U.K. Army, while Eastwood is business transformation manager for BAE Systems Land Systems. They work together to improve the way the MoD and industry support the front line.
“I believe that charity starts at home, so those in the Army not deployed ought to be raising money. I have also been amazed by the generosity of the public and the fact that they have given to these charities and feel we should be supporting them in their efforts,” said Major General Moore.
Judith Eastwood lives near Bristol and works at Farnborough and Newcastle. She commented, “The defence industry has supported British forces on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq increasingly over the past few years, particularly in responding to urgent operational requirements. It is fitting that we should also work together to support the service people who need our support on their return.”
The marathon, widely regarded as the “Everest of Canoeing”, involves paddling 125 miles non-stop. Eastwood is an experienced canoeist, but has never competed in a marathon before and Major General Moore is a novice so this represents a major challenge for both. While they will be combating blistered hands, sore backs, hallucinations and tendonitis, an equally big challenge for them is to raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause.
If you’d like to contribute to the “No Bridge too Far” fund-raising effort, go to: http://www.nb2f.net/
Help for Heroes was the idea of appeal chairman Bryn Parry and a group of friends and relations. who came up with the idea of a sponsored bike ride to support the wounded. Help for Heroes snowballed from this, leading to the campaign being blessed by the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt. Help for Heroes’ focus at the moment is to provide a gym and swimming pool at Hedley Court to help the wounded with rehabilitation from their injuries. http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/fundraising.html
The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) has provided financial and practical support for over 60 years to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. They support people with disabilities or mental illness, people experiencing homelessness or unemployment, and older people. http://www.armybenfund.org/youcanhelp/youcanhelp.html
SSAFA Forces Help has been serving the Armed Forces and their families for well over a hundred years. Its support services are particularly relevant in today’s high pressure military environment, where contemporary veterans, serving personnel and reservists alike often experience different problems from the soldiers, sailors and airmen of earlier conflicts. SSAFA is raising money to build temporary accomodation near hospitals for families of the wounded. http://www.ssafa.org.uk/fundraising.html
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.
For further information please contact:
Mike Sweeney, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0)7801 716452
mike.sweeney2@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
