Wristband appeal expected to beat fund-raising target

THE Staffords' wristband appeal is set to smash its fundraising target.

Since last November, members of the public have been able to show their support for 3 Mercian in Afghanistan by purchasing an official wristband.

Money raised through the appeal goes to a fund used to support injured soldiers and their wives and other dependants.

The original fundraising target was £50,000, but just half-way through the tour a total of £46,000 has so far been raised.

Members of the Staffords serving on the front line in Helmand said it was important to know they had the support of people back home.

Lance corporal Dan Wright, aged 22, from Tunstall, pictured below, said: "It's great that so much has been raised already, because it's money that goes to help the families of soldiers who have been killed or injured,

"It is good to know that people back home are supporting me and the other Staffords, especially my own family. They have really been behind me on this tour."

The wristbands can be purchased from www.army.mod.uk/3mercian or www.facebooks.com/3mercian

Cheques payable to Central Bank 3 Mercian (suggested donation £2 per wristband) can be sent, along with a stamped addressed envelope (66p postage), to Wristband Appeal, Welfare 3 Mercian, Lumsden Barracks, Bad Fallingbostel, BFPO 38.

The Staffords are also running a celebrity wristband competition, in which supporters are encouraged to take photos of celebrities weari ng a 3 Mercian wristband.

Prizes include a digital camera and two tickets to see Lord of the Dance at Sheffield City Hall.

Entries can be emailed to [email protected] along with the name of the celebrity and the person who took the picture, the place and date.