Appeal for volunteers to help heroes

The 25-year-old soldier, who was hacked to death in Woolwich last Wednesday in a suspected terrorist attack, was reported to have been wearing a Help for Heroes T-shirt at the time.

Trevor Betts organised the collection at the Asda store in Mount Pleasant before the tragedy, which was followed by such a large upsurge in support for the charity that its website crashed.

He is appealing for volunteers to help him collect donations and sell merchandise at the store during the weekend of July 6 and 7.

Mr Betts, 58, who served seven years in the Territorial Army and nine years with the Royal Anglian Regiment, said: “I’m not in a position to run a marathon or cycle ride because of my health so I am doing my bit by collecting in the supermarket.

“It does have added poignancy when you hear of such a thing like that, or casualties in Afghanistan, it is upsetting.”

To volunteer, register at www.helpforheroes.org.uk/