Lucy Aldridge presents 2 Rifles with a cheque for £15,000!

 12th February 2012

On the 10^th July 2009, Rfn. William Aldridge was KIA in Afghanistan. Aged 18 years 47 days, he still remains the youngest serving soldier to lose his life in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001.

In 2009, his mother Lucy Aldridge, assisted with the launch of Afghan Heroes, raising funds for injured service personnel and bereaved military families through the Kilimanjaro 2010 Appeal. This project culminated in William’s girlfriend and one of his comrades climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Whilst this appeal was running, Lucy also established the William Aldridge Foundation, not only as a lasting and living legacy in William’s memory, but to continue fundraising long beyond the 1 year term of the Kilimanjaro Appeal. The foundation provides support for serving armed forces, injured service personnel, veterans and bereaved military families.

The foundation has not only given Lucy a positive focus born out of personal tragedy, but has allowed Lucy; along with a small team of volunteers, to raise funds, network, forge links and help promote essential work of many other Forces Charities. To date, they have supported, donated or sponsored many projects ranging from The RBL Memorial Bell Appeal, the production of the 2 Rifles “Battalion Belles” 2012 Calendar, and have recently supported a young Rifleman through PTSD treatment to name just a few.

Due to a rather unfortunate set of personal circumstances which began with mislaying William’s will, Lucy found herself moving into a more political arena, lobbying Government and the MoD, campaigning for the rights of service personnel and their families. Lucy’s campaign has prompted the Military Will Form to be reviewed, as well as the introduction of proper and comprehensive financial and will-writing advice for service personnel prior to deployment.

Lucy continues the battle to change things for all military and family that should suffer as a result of death or injury.

Lucy recently travelled to Ballykinler to present a cheque for £15,000 to the 2 Rifles Swift and Bold Appeal, and also met 2 Rifles’ Colonel-in-Chief, Prince Edward who also came to visit us. We cannot thank Lucy and her team enough for this amazing contribution and their continuing support!

Interested in fundraising for 2 Rifles? Click here for more details.

For more information on the William Aldridge Foundation, please visit www.williamaldridgefoundation.org.uk

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