Military campaign

Defence cuts continue to bite and the brutal conflict in Afghanistan continues to claim lives – including Pte Matthew Haseldin, from Settle in North Yorkshire and Territorial Army soldier Pte Matthew Thornton, from Barnsley, earlier this month. Yesterday another soldier, yet to be named, was killed in Helmand.

Their deaths serve as a sombre reminder of the vital support offered to soldiers and their families by forces charities, and how it is imperative that is maintained.

Yorkshire, particularly, is a region that will feel the strain of military commitments next year – it is understood that all four battalions of the Yorkshire Regiment could be deployed to Afghanistan, a military commitment from the region the size of which has not been witnessed since the fight against Adolf Hitler.

To cope with the increasing demand ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity has opened its regional headquarters inside Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, Europe’s largest army base.

Their work will not only be to support soldiers and their families, but also to work more closely with the other main Armed Forces charities such as Help for Heroes and Royal British Legion.

The Yorkshire Post is campaigning for support for ABF after the charity saw a 50 per cent leap in the number of Army families seeking its help in 12 months.

Regardless of whether people support the political decisions that took us to war, what cannot be denied is the bravery of the personnel who go into battle on our behalf.

Therefore we will be helping where we can with a number of fundraising initiatives for what we believe is a hugely worthwhile cause.

It is one we hope you can join us in supporting.