May I offer my praises and admiration to all the cadet forces for their wonderful efforts in raising �2,600 for Help for Heroes?

May I offer my praises and admiration to all the cadet forces for their wonderful efforts in raising �2,600 for Help for Heroes?

These young boys and girls ran their hearts out on November 1 to ensure that H4H received as much as possible for the wonderful work they are doing for our wounded servicemen and women.

I was very honoured to have provided the four cups (one for each unit) and 20 Phear Park centenary mugs as prizes on behalf of the centenary group - it was the least we could do for such a terrific effort by these young people.

The Help for Heroes charity was set up only in October 2007 in response to ordinary people's needs to do something practical for our wounded personnel. The charity is non-political, and recognises that wars can happen under any government.

Its first fundraising task, to raise �6 million to help provide a swimming pool and gym complex at the tri-service rehabilitation centre in Leatherhead, Surrey, was achieved in just eight months of the charity's launch in 2007.

Help for Heroes aims to spend every penny possible on making grants that provide practical, direct support for the wounded.

The charity is raising funds to build regional recovery houses across the UK, which will serve as the last stage of rehabilitation before a serviceman or woman returns to their unit or back into civilian life.

Since the charity began, grants of �23.5 million have been made and the new target is �20 million by October 2010.

Very well done to each and every cadet for helping towards this new target and the recovery of our many heroes.

Lionel Howell,

531st Tribute Fund,

10 Cheshire Road, Exmouth.