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SUPPORTING HELP FOR HEROES

The members of Newtownards District contribute to a number of charities each year in a variety of different ways. Offerings from church services, private members' subscriptions and directs sponsorships are just some of the ways that our members reach out to worthy causes.

In 2010, Newtownards District decided for the first time to nominate a charity that the members would collect for throughout the whole year, which would see fundraising efforts concentrated in order to make a larger donation. The chosen charity is Help For Heroes, a group established in 2007 to provide help and rehabilitation support for British servicemen and women injured in ongoing conflicts.

Throughout the year, the brethren of our District contributed generously. Each of our Lodges were issued with a Help For Heroes collection box, allowing members to contribute at their regular meetings. In January a collection was taken at our Installation of Officers dinner, while the collection that was taken at our annual church service in July was also ear-marked for this particular charity.

Neil Somerville from the Help For Heroes charity was the special guest at the 2011 Installation dinner of Newtownards District and he was delighted to receive the District's donation of £3300.

Help For Heroes is a registered charity, relying strongly on donations and voluntary help. Part of the main aims of the group is to provide a network of Personnel Recovery Centres, located around the UK to help with the rehabilitation of injured troops. Read more about its work at helpforheroes.org.uk

The chosen charity for our District in 2011 is the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice

Strangford MP Jim Shannon joins District Officers Mark McIlroy and John McKee to present a cheque for £3300 to Neil Somerville of Help For Heroes