Charity roundup: Remembering our heroes

The last month or so has been extremely busy one for many brave servicemen and women.

A commemoration ceremony, a special visit from rugby stars and horticultural photography have all helped to support military charities this month.

Recently, it was revealed that a team from the London Welsh Squad paid a visit to the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre Tedworth House to learn more about what the charity does and how it is helping former soldiers.

London Welsh officially work in partnership with Help for Heroes, which previously helped to for the Exiles’ Aviva Premiership clash with Bath Rugby at the Kassam Stadium.

The players met with some of the servicemen, took signed t-shirts and posed for photographs in what was truly a special visit for all concerned.

Speaking about the visit, London Welsh player Ricky Reeves, a serving member of the Armed Forces, said in an interview published by Help for Heroes: “I really enjoying seeing where and how Help for Heroes all started. Being a serving soldier myself I’m very grateful for what they’re doing, it is fantastic.

“It’s nice to see they’re not alone and there are people there to help them get through it.”

Help for Heroes ambassador Simon Harmer met with the players at Tedworth House during the visit.

Mr Hamer had previously been serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Afghanistan, when he lost both his legs after accidentally treading on an IED five years ago.

During the visit, London Welsh were given a guided tour of the facilities in which sick, wounded and injured soldiers receive assistance.

The rugby team also paid a visit to the Phoenix Centre, where they participated in a game of Sitting Volleyball with the residents.

Commemorating our Heroes

Earlier last month, the Royal Family, along with the prime minister and Archbishop of Canterbury led services at St Paul's Cathedral at the Afghanistan service of Commemoration, Reflection and Remembrance.

The Queen, who in keeping with tradition was the last to arrive at St Paul’s Cathedral in Central London, was joined by Prince Harry – himself a serviceman – alongside the the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband were also present at the event, and were joined by 2,000 military personnel who gathered to honour the deceased war heroes  and veterans who served alongside them.

Additional services were held in Afghanistan for the soldiers that are still serving, while ceremonies were also held at military bases and churches in the UK, as well as in Germany.

Addressing the ceremony, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: "I’m told that each wounded person was supported by up to 80 others by the time they got home. Great is your faithfulness. We also thank those of you who stayed behind, who let your loved ones go: you who worried for their safety each day and took your phone to your bedside each night, you who lived with the pining of children, as well as your own fears. Great is your faithfulness. We honour the faithfulness of all those who gave up their lives to give peace and security for others. We will remember them."

Photographing the great outdoors

In Colchester, the Help for Heroes recovery centre took a group of wounded, injured and sick veterans and loved ones on a trip to the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Hyde Hall.

Photographers learned specialist techniques from Garden World Images – a supplier of premier horticultural/botanical rights-managed images.