Parachute Regiment Charity Events

Col Cmdt Charity Statement
In this year that we both mark the 70th Anniversary of Airborne Forces and prepare again for deployment to Afghanistan, I would ask all of you to show your support for our soldiers and their welfare through the Regimental Charities.

Many of you are extremely energetic in your fundraising exploits and I salute you. I would be even more appreciative if the men, women, families and dependents of The Parachute Regiment could be the primary beneficiaries of your superb efforts. I am a great believer that ‘charity must begin at home.’

There are two active and mutually supportive fundraising charities:

The Parachute Regiment Charity (No 1131977) amalgamates the former Central Fund and Airborne Forces Charities. This is a new charity carrying on our best traditions in the relief of hardship, need and distress amongst members of the Regiment and Airborne Forces and their dependents, and doing much besides to promote morale and military efficiency. www.paracharity.org

The Afghanistan Trust (No 1121647) founded in 2007 primarily supports the relief of all Parachute Regiment solders injured in Afghanistan, and the families of those wounded or killed, with welfare services, support and financial assistance, and sustains the memory of loss of life and the sacrifices made there by soldiers of the Regiment. www.afghanistantrust.org

The key distinction between them is that the PRC has responsibility for wider regimental charitable activities. This includes welfare, but the PRC remit goes beyond cases specifically associated with operations in Afghanistan.

As a general guideline we see the Afghanistan Trust (AT) and the Parachute Regiment Charity (PRC) covering serving personnel and the Airborne Forces Security Fund (ABSF) covering retired personnel. There is no change to the ABSF which continues to assist all Airborne soldiers, ex-Airborne soldiers and their dependents in need. www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/4795.aspx

If you would like to help us please contact our Director of Charities, Stephen Cooper on director@paracharity.org

I urge you to do your best to support these worthy causes which are close to all our hearts. I am confident you will respond in the finest tradition of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces, which we celebrate in 2010.

Maj Gen JD Shaw CBE
Colonel Commandant, The Parachute Regiment