Whitnash Town Council Embraces the Cause

Introduction

On the weekend of the 11th June, The Royal British Legion will be 90 years old and the charity is celebrating the occasion by asking local groups to organise events based on a 'Great Poppy Party Weekend'. Whitnash Town Council has embraced this and is organising a full week of events throughout the town.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the sacrifice many men and women make to ensure our world is a safer place and also to raise funds to support the families left behind. With this in mind we are linking up with the 'Forces Children's Trust', which is a small charity that has supported a local family to come to terms with the loss of their father who was killed in action.

Fundraising Events

The Royal British Legion

It may seem unusual to think of getting into party mood in the summer for something as serious as the welfare and campaigning work undertaken by The Royal British Legion, but we believe that we should all take pleasure in and celebrate the 90th anniversary of this remarkable organisation and the outstanding achievements of the Legion over the last 90 years with a carnival atmosphere and a great sense of fun, comradeship and togetherness. That’s why we would love to see everyone joining in the Great Poppy Party Weekend on June 10th, 11th and 12th, 2011. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a barbecue, fancy dress event, karaoke night, masked ball, barn dance, games evening, a dress down day at school, or any one of so many other wonderful and inventive ways of partying. Just join us and the many local authorities throughout the UK in making it a memorable occasion for all those taking part. At the same time the parties can raise valuable funds to further the welfare work of the Legion for the future, 90 years and more of helping millions of beneficiaries - soldiers, sailors and airmen/women who serve and have served their country at home and abroad, many at enormous personal cost to themselves and their families.

The Royal British Legion is a Registered Charity. It was founded in 1921 and was incorporated under Royal Charter in 1925.
Its mission is: “To be the leading charity safeguarding the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served in the Armed Forces”.
http://www.thegreatpoppypartyweekend.org.uk/
Bruno Peek OBE, MVO, OPR National Co-ordinator

The Forces Children’s Trust

The Forces Children’s Trust is a charity devoted to helping dependent children that have lost a parent whilst serving with the Armed Forces. The FCT, by reason of its aims and size, has the flexibility and ability to make decisions and offer help as needed, with minimum fuss and consequent time-loss. The scope of its ability to help both an individual and a group of children in similar circumstances is illustrated by two recent cases. It provided special software for a dyslexic young boy who had sadly lost his father. The cost was beyond the mother in her present circumstances and not available from other sources. The immediate response by the FCT enabled the young boy to instantly improve his educational skills. In contrast, the Trust funded and enabled a trip to London for a group of young children to see the hit-show ‘Mary Poppins'. This included an overnight stay as well as restaurant meals and other visits together with their mothers.
In addition, a dream came true for many children and the Trust's founder Denny Wise with a special trip to see 'The Sound Of Music' at the London Palladium, leading to an even more magical surprise with Noel Edmonds.
The Forces Children's Trust was founded in 2004 by Mr. Denny Wise who, with his extensive show-business background and contacts, has spent many years giving so much time to fund-raising for so many good causes and charities, most of which have a strong Service background and include the Royal Star & Garter Homes.

Following the many heart-breaking stories that have emerged from the losses in Afghanistan and Iraq, Denny was concerned that the subsequent needs of the affected children, were not being fully addressed. He was particularly moved by the number of children who were left without a parent. Discussing the situation with his contacts, he decided that a charity solely dedicated to helping the individual needs and problems of the children would help fill a niche in the charitable field of family care.

The Trust recognises that each child is special and unique, and should an individual require help not provided directly by the FCT, the Trust can assist where appropriate.
The Forces Children’s Trust is a charity devoted to helping dependent children that have lost a parent whilst serving with the Armed Forces.          

       Denny Wise receives a ‘Millie’ at The Sun’s Military Awards 2010 for Support To the Armed Forces
© Forces Children's Trust and The Sun Newspaper

http://www.forceschildrenstrust.org
Mr. Denny Wise (Founder)          

 

Gary O'Donnell

Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary John O'Donnell GM & Bar Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary John O'Donnell GM & Bar (21 July 1968 – 10 September 2008) was a British Army bomb disposal expert who was awarded the George Medal twice. The George Medal is the second highest decoration for "acts of great bravery". His second George Medal was the first such award in 26 years and the first ever posthumous bar. Gary was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Afganistan.
In recognition of his bravery a plinth in memory of Gary has been placed on chapel green, by the people of Whitnash.

See Wikipedia

 

Fund Raising

The fundraising events that are currently planned are:-

The Royal Priors Shopping Centre

Let's Wear Red to Celebrate 90 Years

Grand Prize Draw

with tickets being sold within the town

1st Prize - £100
2nd Prize - Family Pass to Shakespeare’s Houses
3rd Prize  - Family ticket to Warwick Castle
4th Prize - Hamper of goodies - Acre Close shops

Promoter: Adrian Barton, Whitnash Town Council, Franklin Road, Whitnash. CV31 2JH
To be drawn at The Lawns Residential Home, Gleave Road on 11th June 2011 at 5pm.

50p each

Registered under the Lotteries and amusements act 1976 with Warwick District Council – Registration number 126

£2.50 per book

Raffle will be drawn at The Lawns at 5pm.

 

Walking Treasure Hunt

• Starting at The Lawns Residential Care Home, Gleave Road
• Start between 12 noon and 2pm.
• £5 per team

Follow the ‘poppy’ trail around the town collecting answers to the clues in your ration book.

Cash Prizes: 1st: £25 2nd: £15 3rd: £10

Book your team start time with Adrian on 07855 372323

Winners of the Treasure Hunt will be announced at 5pm at The Lawns.

The Lawns Residential Care Home Presents

A check-point at the entrance will be in force throughout the day where you have to show your papers and demonstrate proficiency at semaphore, this check-point will be backed up with army/sea/air cadet personnel

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Teas, coffees and light refreshments will be available from 12pm to 4.30pm.
Attractions

Help for Heroes Tank - courtesey of Paul Haynes



World War 1 Field Hospital

1914 Ambulance with various Military Memorabilia
  

The Plough and Harrow

World War 2 Military Vehicles

Whitnash Sports & Social Club

A check-point at the entrance will be in force throughout the day where you have to show your papers and demonstrate proficiency at semaphore, this check-point will be backed up with army/sea/air cadet personnel and a selection of WW2 American Jeep's, Land Rovers and Motor Bikes.

The NAAFI stop will be run by the Whitnash Coffee Morning helpers, serving Nelson Squares, Cream Horns and hard tack biscuits.

Historical Displays

Thanksgiving Service

On Sunday 12th June at 6.30pm within the Service will be a time for celebration of the 90 years of The Royal British Legion.

Please visit this site again soon for further updates.

This Event is kindly sponsored By

	Linleigh Electrical
Tony’s Executive Cars		Whitnash Sports & Social Club
The Hodcarrier	The Lawns Residential Care Home
		John Taylor Funeral Service

You can support the event by becoming a sponsor for a donation of £100 (or more!), or a supporter for a donation, or by offering to help in some other way.

Supporters

Thanks also to the following event supporters:

• Adrian’s Butchers
• Bluebell Florists
• Heathcote Fish Bar
• Revival Hair Salon
• Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
• Warwick Castle
• Reynolds Blinds
• Jack Spratt's at The Windmill Pub
• Heathcote Post Office
• Tandy UK Ltd, Bedford Street, Leamington Spa

 

Local Organisations Taking Part

• Warwick Sea Cadet Corp
• Royal Leamington Spa Army Cadets
• Warwick and Leamington 1368 Squadron Air Training Corp
• Whitnash Coffee Morning Club
• The Lawns Residential Care Home
• The Royal British Legion - Leamington Spa Branch
• The Royal British Legion - Warwick Branch
• The Queens Own Warwickshire & Worcestershire Yeomanry Comrades Association  
• Local SWiRLs schools:
   Bishop's Tachbrook CofE Primary School, Briar Hill Infant School, Campion School, Clapham Terrace Primary School, Kingsway Primary School, Radford Semele CofE Primary School, Shrubland Street Primary School, St. Anthony's Catholic Primary School, St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, St. Margaret's CofE Primary School, St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Sydenham Primary School, Whitnash Nursery School, Whitnash Primary School.

Can you help and make a real difference to a soldier's life or family?

Ring Adrian NOW for further details on 07855 372323.

Locations of Poppy Parties

Whitnash Brook Valley
Whitnash Bowls green
Windmill Petanque pitch
Mini roundabout – Heathcote Road 
Scuba Diving – at a local pool!!

Our grateful thanks go to all businesses and private individuals who have already donated and supported this event.

All monies raised from this event will be split equally between the ‘Royal British Legion’ and the ‘Forces Children’s Trust’.

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News & Updates

If you want to be kept up-to-date, enter your email address below and we will send you news and information:

Email address:  

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This is a Whitnash Town Council Event
Cllr Adrian Barton
33 Harrow Road
Whitnash
Warwickshire
CV31 2JD
07855372323 – mobile
cllr.barton@whitnashtowncouncil.gov.uk

Ms Jenny Mason
Town Clerk
Whitnash Town Council
Franklin Road
Whitnash
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV31 2JH
01926 470394
town.clerk@whitnashtowncouncil.gov.uk