PWS’s Blood, Sweat & Gears charity project has achieved a ‘record-breaking’ donation for Help For Heroes.
Mark Stephenson, PWS chief executive, set the original target of £250,000, which was exceeded by the end of the 500km cycling challenge in South Africa in May. After further donations and events, the tally hit £314,000 – £64,000 over target.
This was also the highest donation received by any single, third party fund-raising challenge in 2016 for Help For Heroes.
The money will fund three additional psychological well-being advisors for three years, helping wounded, injured and sick service personnel, veterans and their families.
Melanie Dickinson, Help for Heroes interim centre manager, said: “It is probably fair to say that invisible injuries from war, conflict and trauma require, perhaps, the most long-term investment. And that is why it is important to have the staff required to provide that support going forward. We never doubted that Mark, PWS and all their supporters would reach their huge target of £250,000, but for them to surpass it, by so much, is simply outstanding. It will go a long way to supporting beneficiaries with mental illness, enabling us to help change more lives and, in some cases, save lives.”
A study launched by Help For Heroes and King’s College London in January this year, found that of the 750,000 men and women who served as regulars between 1991 and 2014, at least one-in-11 (66,000) will need long-term, health-related support.
Stephenson added: “The research demonstrates how much our donation can help. I extend my heartfelt and sincere thanks to our suppliers, customers and the truly Great British public who embraced my ‘pie-in-the-sky’ idea. They were behind us all the way and ensured that Blood Sweat & Gears exceeded all expectations. I am extremely proud that together we have made a record-breaking donation to Phoenix House.”
- Image top: PWS CEO Mark Stephenson (right) presents cheque to Melanie Dickinson of Help For Heroes