SIR – This is an open letter to the people of Worcester and visitors to the city who donated so very generously to the ABF the Soldiers’ Charity during a bucket collection in the city to coincide with the homecoming/freedom parade of the Grenadier Guards, the Queen’s Royal Hussars and the Mercian Regiment on Wednesday, July 27.

The large crowd gave generously and with good humour and confirmed Worcester as the Faithful City.

The collection raised almost £2,400 and on behalf of the committee for the Worcestershire Appeal this letter is intended as a thank you for those who gave so willingly.

Last year in the county the ABF spent more than £50,000 assisting serving and formal soldiers.

To date, in 2012, the cases referred to the ABF the Solidiers’ Charity have tripled and the charity supports soldiers and their families, and has been doing so since the end of the Second World War, and pledges to do so for life if this should be required.

In Worcestershire we endeavour to cover the cost of cases handled by the charity in the county by our fund-raising activities and should any Worcester News readers have any suggestions for, or would be prepared to assist with, fund-raising I would be very pleased if they would contact me through the Worcester News. Again, on behalf of the ABF Soldiers’ Charity, we thank the mayor and the people of Worcester.

STAMFORD J CARTWRIGHT
Colonel (Rtd), chairman, Worcestershire Appeal