The club would like to thank our good friend Steve Craddock and Help for Heroes
Steve Craddock, the area coordinator for Help for Heroes is our proud sponsors this afternoon as Gillingham face League One Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup First Round.Steve’s guests including Jimmy Hendrick and Steven Cleator (along with son James), were both members of the armed force, injured in the service of our country.
The three lads are part of Help for Heroes band for Brothers an association totally funded by Help for Heroes and their aim is to offer life long support and opportunities to serviceman and women who have been wounded, injured or sick during or as a consequence of their service.
Help for Heroes have been in existence for only five years and in that time have raised £150 million pounds, all of that that money has been spent or allocated to projects aimed at ensuring our wounded and injured get the best possible help and support that can be provided.
Martin Allen invited Steve to give the lads a team talk prior to the match and he told them how he survived a Taliban attack thanks to his team mates’ courage. The talk was deeply moving and inspirational, it was an honour for us to have the chance to spend time with some genuine heroes.
Next Year Steve will be embarking on two challenges to raise money for Help for Heroes, the first is in May next year where along with three hundred cyclists including fifty wounded servicemen he will cycle 380 miles from Paris to London.
Later in the year he will be climbing the highest three peaks in North Africa. To date Steve has raised £255,000 for Help for Heroes and set the target of raising £300,000 by next October.
You can help achieve that aim by visiting Steve’s Charity website at www.bmycharity.com/sapper and donate whatever you can.