Combat Stress raises thousands at summer fete event

Combat Stress has given a big thank you to the people and organisations who supported its latest Summer Fete – which took place at Hollybush House, Scotland, recently – as well as the people who gave time to help at the event, and members of the public who attended.

It seems it was a wet day at the facility where the fete took place – with the charity speculating that it may have been the wettest Combat Stress fete ever recorded.

Activities included the sale of a pair of paintings by Peter Howson OBE, an artist from Scotland, which raised £790. Art produced by veterans was displayed for sale at the event, too.

Overall, the fete brought in £5,331 for Combat Stress, which works to support veterans such as ex British soldiers who have suffered psychological injury.

The fete saw Fred MacAulay, radio presenter for BBC Scotland, take on the role of compare.

Nicola Cassells, a local classical singer, performed on the day, as did Naked Heel, a local band.

A cheque for £1,750 was provided to Combat Stress from a group of 80 bikers from the Hillbillies, who rode-into the event bearing this donation, a sum resulting from the generosity from riders and their friends.

Birds of prey displays took place, and another non-human visitor was Cruachan 4, the Royal Regiment of Scotland's Regimental Mascot Pony.

Stalls included a Marmite Challenge and an RAF Air Cadets flight simulator.

Combat Stress is soon set to be helped by a share of a possible £15 million plus, which Historic Royal Palaces is hoping can be raised from 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' – an upcoming Tower of London installation.

Historic Royal Palaces reports that this installation, taking the form of thousands of ceramic poppies in the moat of the Tower, will both mark the First World War centenary and raise donations for several service charities, as the poppies are set to be sold off at £25 each. The installation begins August 5th.