TROOP Aid has been nominated for a major award.
The charity is one of five organisations selected for the ‘Working Together (Organisations)’ category of the prestigious annual Soldiering On Awards.
The charity – run from its base at Radway Road, in Shirley by husband and wife Al and Pam Sutton – will find out if it has actually won the award at a prestigious ceremony in London later this month.
The charity provides basic toiletries and essentials for thousands of injured service personnel, through the now famous Troop AID Grab Bag.
Nominations are selected by a judging panel comprising of some of the highest ranking military personnel in the country.
“We are very proud to be in the final five, and winning the award would be absolutely marvellous,” said Pam Sutton, whose husband was one of three ex-servicemen who founded Troop Aid in November 2006.
“But there are many good people who do fabulous work on behalf of our wonderful servicemen and women, and we will have a fabulous night celebrating all the good that is done. If we win, it’s a lovely bonus.”
Troop Aid funds come entirely from fund raising events and donations from organisations such as Rotary International, Lions International, Masonic Lodges, Round Table, Primary and Secondary Schools, ex Service Associations, the local business community, the general public and several British expatriate communities overseas.
Items in the Grab Bag include T-shirt and shorts, washing and shaving kit, towel, face flannel, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower mules, socks, underwear, pen and paper.
The charity also makes up Grab Bag for injured female service personnel.
In addition to the emergency pack, Troop Aid also supplies other items of clothing and footwear, such as tracksuits, hoodies, fleeces and trainers.
“We’re extremely proud of what we do,” added Pam.
“But we do it because we care passionately about the well-being of our Armed Forces, and we do it because we get enormous help and support from many wonderful volunteers and donors.”
Visit www.troopaid.info or call 0121 711 7215 for more information or to find out how you can help.
