My name is Mia Felton, and I am the wife of Brigadier Richard Felton
OBE who is Commander of 4th Mechanized Brigade a British Army brigade
who are based in Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. The 4th
Mechanized Brigade, who are also known affectionately as the Black
Rats, were part of the original Desert Rats - 7th Armoured Division -
hence the name of our Welfare Fund - The Black Rat Fund.
During 2010 4th Mechanized Brigade have been deployed to Helmand
Province in Afghanistan. You will have heard much about them on the
news. My husband is also in Afghanistan with his Brigade, and has taken
up the role of Commander Task Force Helmand and is based in Lashkar
Gah.
There are sixteen major regiments and a further large number of
sub-units that form the Brigade in Helmand at present, representing
over 9,300 serving soldiers.
Regiments that we currently support include 40 Commando Royal
Marines, the Royal Dragoon Guards, 1st Battalion The Royal Gurhka
Rifles and 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, all of whom you will
have heard mentioned in the news in the past weeks as a result of the
tragic losses we have experienced.
Whilst my husband is in Afghanistan I am working on a voluntary
basis as a Trustee for The Black Rat Fund, which is, as I say, the
Armed Forces welfare fund for 4th Mechanized Brigade. We provide
compassionate welfare grants and support to the injured soldiers and
their families of the Black Rats. Obviously this year, whilst the
Brigade is deployed on Op HERRICK 12, represents a particular challenge
for us as the demands on our support are growing daily as the number of
injured soldiers from our Brigade is increasing.
Sadly we have to inform you that since the commencement of
their operational tour of duty in Helmand Province the 9,300 serving
soldiers who are part of the 16 Regiments and Units that comprise the
4th Mechanized Brigade have already had*...
*Figures correct as at 27 July 2010 Source, MOD Op HERRICK Fatality and Casualty Tables / HQ 4th Mechanized Brigade
37 soldiers killed in action
7 soldiers who died as a result of wounds received in action
588 soldiers wounded as a direct result of combat including:
42 who are VSI category (Very Seriously Injured) 23 of these are amputees.
These are all servicemen who will never have a normal life again as
a result of their injuries. This number also includes 4 soldiers who
are now triple amputees as a result of their injuries.
32 who are SI category (Seriously Injured) and who will continue to be affected by these injuries for the rest of their lives.
Without your help and financial assistance The Black Rat Fund cannot
provide the welfare and compassionate support these brave men and
women, and their families, deserve so much.
So what are we doing to help these brave men and women? Well, put
simply, we are doing everything and anything we possibly can.
Most importantly we are making sure that we have enough funds in place
to help them. This is why we have organised the Black Rat Charity
Rideout.
The rideout is going to be a wonderful event.
Bikers who register for the Rideout will gather at Marne Barracks
just off the A1, which is a great location for getting together before
the rideout commences. We will have lots of things for you to see there
on the day and great refreshments too.
We are also hoping, since that weekend is part of the Battle of
Britain Day celebration weekend, to have a flypast by a Spitfire from
the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. We will keep everyone posted
about this in our information updates on our website.
We are also hoping, health permitting, that some of our injured
soldiers who are currently at Headley Court and going through
rehabilitation will be making the long trip to Yorkshire, so that they
can see for themselves the support they are getting, and share in the
excitement and spectacle of the day.
Then we have the Rideout itself....
We have a great route which is about 22 miles long and will take
approximately 1 hour to complete. The route will take you on an
exclusive tour {behind the wire} of some of the major barracks in
Catterick Garrison and allow you to see things that civilians normally
are NOT allowed to see. We will have all sorts of displays including
tanks and other equipment. This is an opportunity not to be missed.
We are also taking the route through the heart of Richmond town
where we expect massive crowds of spectators to cheer you through,
including the local Mayor and many of the District and Town Councillors
who have been so supportive of this event.
Not only that, but you will be also riding through some glorious
Yorkshire countryside on the way up to the end point at Scotch Corner.
We want to make this the biggest event ever in the North of
England, and a massive fundraiser, so that we can provide all the
welfare support our soldiers need.
When I write a condolence letter, or speak to a wounded soldier in
Headley Court, I know that every part of me feels so deeply the
suffering and sacrifice of that family.
The cost to them of serving their country is life changing,
The cost to you to support them is just FIVE pounds.
By joining our Rideout and making this event a huge show of support,
you not only provide us with the money to help, but you also give an
incredible boost to the morale of those soldiers still bravely fighting
in Afghanistan right now.
As my husband said in a recent email to me, This means so much to us
for a number of reasons. First, just knowing so many people are willing
to support us is so important to the morale of my troops. They are all
doing such a fantastic job, with unbelievable courage and great
determination. Your (the publics) support places value on the
sacrifices they are making.
Please join us and register for the Rideout WE NEED your help so that
we can help those that need it, and we simply CAN NOT do it WITHOUT
YOU!
East Yorkshire MAG members, new & old, out side the new venue, before a ride out to Goole.
We meet every 2nd & 4th Thursdays, and our new venue is The Rose
& Crown, North bar without, HU17 7AB, meetings start at 8.30pm.
Come and join us & get involved,
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