As the demand on the Army continues to remain high, so do the needs of serving and former soldiers. The call on help from The Soldiers’ Charity has never been higher and is predicted to keep rising.

During the last year The Soldiers’ Charity provided assistance to over 3,100 people; a rise of 20% and a record total of £2.5 million in grants was given to individuals.

Mobility and debt have been by far the biggest calls for assistance clearly reflecting the current economic climate and the impact of current operations. Cases like Trooper Shine, a 25 year old serving with the 2nd Battalion the Royal Tank Regiment who lost his leg when the tank he was driving hit a roadside bomb. The Soldiers’ Charity provided funds to allow his mother to build a walk in shower in her house so he no longer has to strip wash in the bathroom.

People like Trooper Shine never look for an easy hand out and have frequently lived with great hardship before they consider asking for help. But when they do The Soldiers’ Charity  is there, just as we are there for any soldier – current or ex-Serving – and their families. But we can’t do it without the generosity of the Army and the public. People who regularly donate or who take part in fundraising events from marathons to cycling across the country. It’s people like these who ensure that soldiers past, present and future have the support of  The Soldiers’ Charity. To make a direct donation please ring 0845 241 4820.

Caron was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1997 when she was in her mid 30’s. At that time she was a much loved TV personality, having presented programmes such as Blue Peter, This Morning, Top of the Pops and Entertainment Today. She was happily married with two young sons, Charlie and Gabriel. After her diagnosis, she valiantly spent the next seven years fighting and managing the disease through a range of orthodox and complimentary cancer treatments. Her experiences were vast, and the support she received during that time were second to none. Caron learnt so much about the disease during her worldwide search for knowledge, as did her mother, Gloria Hunniford and indeed all the family. Sadly, Caron lost her tenacious battle with cancer in 2004 and subsequently the family set up a fund in Caron’s name – The Caron Keating Foundation which gives grants to all types of cancer charities.

The Caron Keating Foundation makes a considerable difference to many individuals and families affected by cancer. It targets and financially assists small but significant cancer  charities, professional carers and support groups. It is a family run Foundation with Gloria Hunniford as the administrator. The Foundation’s only cost is one part-time secretary, with all the money raised going to cancer charities. In the Beneficiaries section there is a list detailing some of those charities we have given grants to since inception in October 2004.

Trees for Cities is an independent charity (1032154) set up in 1993. We aim to enrich biodiversity, tackle global warming, create social cohesion and beautify our cities through community tree planting, education and training initiatives in urban areas of the greatest need.

Our work focuses on areas of social and environmental deprivation bringing together local communities to work on practical greening and educational projects in deprived public spaces.

Throughout our work we place a special emphasis on the involvement of local people and especially target disadvantaged people, such as those from ethnic minorities and the younger generation, who often suffer barriers to participation and are disengaged from developments.

As well as educating and developing local people during our projects, in London we also run a series of certified horticulture, arboriculture and woodland management courses specialising in developing and up-skilling the long-term unemployed and those with complex backgrounds.

We currently deliver projects in cities within the UK, such as London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Brighton, Sheffield, Nottingham and Reading, and also internationally in Kenya, Ethiopia, Bolivia and Peru.

Trees for Cities is passionate about the environmental and social benefits of its projects, and it is grateful of support from individuals, businesses, local authorities, grants and community groups to be able to deliver them.