Lunchtime Meeting - 12.45pm - Speaker Carolyn McLaughlin

Carolyn gave a very passionate and informative talk about the charity Troop Aid.  We were given a brief history on how Troop Aid was started and where it is today. 

Carolyn showed us the contents of a sample grab bag which is the mainstay of the charity and its operation, explaining all the different sizes required for both male and female recipients, which included among other items a Wilkinson Sword Razor Troop Aid in the early stages had to purchase this item at approximately £5.75 however after contacting Wilkinson’s direct a donation was made of 20,000 FOC.

At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital there is now a family room for the relatives of the injured troops refreshments of which are all supplied by Troop Aid.  As a charity Troop Aid relies on support from companies and organisations like Rotary.

The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club through Tony Ridge raised over a two-year period £40,000 which really helped the charity expand.

In 2014 Troop Aid were awarded “The Queens Award For Voluntary Service”.  Troop Aid are still looking for companies to make them their charity of the year.

Carolyn was duly thanked for her most comprehensive and informative talk and in recognition was presented with a cheque for the charity by Pres Elect Mark.

Jackie Ridge

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Nov 2013: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/your-communities-wylde-green-rotarians-6292186

When injured troops return to the UK from the war zones they come without their personal belongings, which usually follow five or six weeks later.Troop Aid was founded in 2006 to supply the basic essentials to injured service personnel.

Grab Bags are currently being sent to theatres of war around the world, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham plus the Ministry of Defence Hospital Units in Germany, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley and Headley Court.

A bag typically contains washing and shaving kit, towel, face flannel, shower mules, socks, underwear, T-shirt, shorts, paper and pen. There are also Grab Bags for injured female service personnel.  See what's in a Grab Bag?

Anyone interested in finding out more about Troop Aid and to learn how they might offer support should phone 0121 711 7215 or go to their website at www.troopaid.info.

Donations can be sent to Troop Aid, 21 Radway Road, Shirley, Solihull West Midlands, B90 4NR.