Charity roundup: Help for Heroes stocking appeal gets Christmas boost

Christmas is a time for giving, and with the big day fast approaching, kind-hearted Brits have been donating their hard-earned cash to make sure that the holiday season and beyond can be better for injured ex-service personnel across the country. 

We take a look at some of the good work that's been done for Help for Heroes across the course of the past few weeks. 

Stocking appeal

A funeral directors company in Scotland has got in on the Christmas spirit after it started collecting for the Help for Heroes stocking appeal this month. The drive sees stockings delivered to those injured in service who are at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, Headley Court and four Help for Heroes Recovery Centres, which are located around the country.

Funeral service arranger at MacIntosh and Steven, Angie Greig, said that the company had managed to collect enough to fill 22 full stockings to send away for the good cause this year. 

‘I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported this worthwhile cause, which is especially poignant on this centenary year of the First World War," she told the KIncardineshire Observer.

 “I have a few friends who have family members in active duty and I know how much of a wonderful job Help for Heroes do. 

‘‘Taking part in this was one small way we felt we were able to bring a wee bit of cheer to our heroes.”

Charity wine

Just last month, Tesco announced that it had started selling a Help for Heroes branded wine. Now, UK bar and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butler has revealed its own Christmas tipple, the Help for Heroes shiraz and sauvignon blanc. 

The two wines will be on sale for £12 and £13 respectively across a range of the company's pubs in the next few months, with a pound from the sale of each bottle going straight to the military charity. 

As well as in restaurants, the company has also revealed that customers will be able to support the good cause by buying the wine by the case from the likes of Tesco, Rude Wines and Buy Great Wine. 

Charity drive

And finally, perhaps the most exciting new addition to the charity drive in 2014, is an actual drive. Stirling Motorsport Management has launched an exciting new initiative that will nurture fledgling British motorsport talent, with a Racing for Heroes team having been revealed to take part in a number of different events over the course of the coming year.

It will take new drivers trying to build their profile in motorsport and give them the chance to compete in five championships across the 2015 TOCA package, as well as building towards its ultimate goal of eventually having a team compete in the British Touring Car Championships – the pinnacle of the sport. 

The team will also compete in The Porsche Carrera Cup (GB), Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Renault Clio Cup UK and the newly formed MSA Formula 4 Championship, with five handpicked young drivers each committed to helping raise the profile of Help for Heroes.