Bolton shopping centre visitors support Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes (H4H) has been given a funding boost worth over £12,500, thanks to visitors to Bolton's Market Place Shopping Centre.

The Bolton News reports that a total £12,864 was raised for the service charity, as a result of centre shoppers' donating and buying merchandise from t-shirts to wristbands.

Speaking to the news provider, Help for Heroes charity co-ordinator Bill Smethurst has thanked shoppers and Market Place management.

The 53-year-old also said he's passionate about giving support to British soldiers.

He explained that his family have been involved in armed forces service for over five decades.

Now, his stepson is a member of the Royal Marines, Mr Smethurs added, meaning he understands how important a strong network of support is.

"The work Help for Heroes does offers great comfort for families whose sons, daughters, fathers, mothers are risking their lives to protect our country," he added.

Mr Smethurs, charity co-ordinator for H4H in Lancashire and Bolton, said it helps him and his wife knowing their son is honoured and protected by the community locally.

Help for Heroes is among six service charities for whom funds are currently being raised by the Tower of London.

Along with charities like Coming Home and Combat Stress, the charity is expected to benefit from a total of million of pounds brought in by Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.

This ceramic poppy filled art installation in the tower's moat marks World War One's centenary. The poppies involved – of which there are more than 800,000 – can be bought for £25 each and ten per cent of this price, as well as all the net proceeds raised by the sales, are being divided equally between the service charities involved.