Emma has just been in touch to say, “My little brother (Major Simon Ward) has just left on active service to Afghanistan and will be away for six months. In order to support him and his fellow service chaps my boys (Freddie, 10, and Toby, 8) and I have come up with the idea of The Desktop Battalion. Regardless of what your political, humanitarian or ethical views may be, we have some very brave service men and women a long way from home doing a tough job in our country's name and I hope that fellow Old Framlinghamians will want to offer their support to them. I know, of course that many will already have contributed to appeals like mine.

 

Each month for the next six months, Freddie and Toby will be painting toy army soldiers, a different colour for each month, and asking people to purchase a series of soldiers to build up their own multi-coloured Desktop Battalion. This would not only brighten their computer screen or desk, but all money will be split between Help for Heroes and War Child, a charity helping children in war-torn countries find a small bit of peace and hopefully education. Freddie and Toby will be setting up a table at their school and I will have a box of colourful soldiers ready for action at Gotelee Solicitors.

 

If you would like to support us you can purchase a monthly soldier either in real or virtual form for £1.00 or for the full £6.00 the boys will create a bespoke Desktop Battalion certificate for your wall. You can of course show your support in greater monetary terms for a very big thank you from Emma, Freddie, Toby, Help for Heroes, War Child, our forces in Afghanistan and all children affected by war."

If you’d like to donate, please click the link below and, on the donations details page, leave instructions in the Message box, telling Emma whether you'd like either a certificate or a virtual set of soldiers. The donor details page will ask for your email address, so please ensure you provide this. If you would prefer to receive real, rather than virtual, toy soldiers, please separately send an email to Emma (click on her name) giving her your postal address :