The Story of Troop Aid - Supporting Injured Service Personnel
The Founding of Troop Aid
TROOP AID is a charity founded in November 2006 by three ex-servicemen: Derek Joss, Albert Sutton (‘Al’), and Ray Warren.
The idea for the charity came about after a visit to Selly Oak Hospital’s Alexandra Wing in Birmingham, which is home to the Defence Medical Welfare Services (DMWS) responsible for the welfare of all Armed Forces personnel who are injured during military conflicts around the world.
During their visit to the military ward, the three men noticed that some of the walking wounded had returned from Iraq and Afghanistan without their clothing or personal belongings. To help these injured servicemen and women, Albert and his wife Pam decided to purchase some items of clothing and toiletries from Birmingham market and deliver them to the military ward at Selly Oak Hospital.
They also realized that many items would be better placed in the hospital in the war zone so that injured personnel could have these personal items before traveling back to Birmingham.
The Importance of Troop Aid's Grab Bags
The charity began by making up emergency packs called "Grab Bags," which were sent to field hospitals at TROOP AID's expense.
Two Army Officers who saw the benefit of these donations made a presentation to the MOD requesting permission to send these bags out to the hospitals officially.
TROOP AID was fortunate to be granted authority for the bags to be sent out via the military movements section at the Army Logistics base in Bicester. To use the MOD system, TROOP AID had to shrink wrap and palletize each shipment, which was made possible by a very helpful ex-member of the Parachute regiment who had a logistic company in Bedworth.
Troop Aid's GRAB BAGS are handed to injured service personnel in over 27 locations worldwide.
Growth and Recognition
The charity continued to grow and focused on fundraising and finding suitable premises to pack the bags and store the stock. They worked from home for approximately four years before eventually finding a suitable warehouse.
In the meantime, the family of a seriously injured soldier raised £26,000 for TROOP AID by organizing an open day in Cooper Park in Elgin. This enabled TROOP AID to rent an office and some self-storage space in Birmingham, and Noel Edmunds donated a small storage unit close to Selly Oak Hospital.
In 2008, TROOP AID became a registered charity, meeting the requirements of the Charities Commission. The same year, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited Selly Oak Hospital and saw the contents of the emergency pack. He was impressed with the charity’s work and became their patron. While operations were ongoing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world, TROOP AID sent out approximately 1,200 Grab Bags each year.
Charity and Awards
In 2014, the charity was honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and the Chief of the Defence staff’s award for rare and exceptional support to the military community. TROOP AID continues to support sick and injured service personnel within the UK and around the world where British troops are serving.
Answers You Need to Know
What is Troop Aid's primary mission?
Troop Aid’s primary mission is to provide support to sick and injured service personnel within the UK and around the world where British troops are serving.
What is included in Troop Aid's Grab Bags?
The Grab Bags contain essential items that the injured personnel need while recovering, such as underwear, socks, a t-shirt, shorts, and a wash kit. The charity also provides bespoke packs for women, which contain items that are specific to their needs.
How does Troop Aid fund their operations?
What has Troop Aid achieved so far?
The Critical Work of TROOP AID
The work of TROOP AID is critical to providing much-needed support to injured and sick servicemen and women. The Grab Bags contain essential items that the injured personnel need while recovering, such as underwear, socks, a t-shirt, shorts, and a wash kit.
The charity also provides bespoke packs for women, which contain items that are specific to their needs.
The Grab Bags are designed to be durable, practical, and discreet, allowing injured personnel to have some degree of normalcy and privacy during their recovery.
TROOP AID relies on donations and fundraising to continue its essential work. The charity has a team of dedicated volunteers who help to pack the bags, organize fundraising events, and raise awareness of the charity's work.
You can support TROOP AID by making a donation, becoming a volunteer, or organizing a fundraising event.
In conclusion, Troop Aid is a charity that provides essential support to sick and injured service personnel within the UK and around the world where British troops are serving. The charity’s commitment to helping the military community has been recognized by numerous awards.
The Importance of Supporting TROOP AID
By supporting Troop Aid through donations to Donate Clothes UK, individuals can make a significant impact on the lives of injured service personnel. The funds raised through Donate Clothes UK help Troop Aid to provide emergency packs and essential items to wounded soldiers, ensuring that they have the support they need during a challenging time.
Troop Aid’s work is essential, and it is through the generosity of donors that they can continue to provide this much-needed support to those who have served their country.
To learn more about Troop Aid and their work, please visit their website. Donations can be made directly to the charity through their website or by supporting Donate Clothes UK.
By working together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who have given so much for our country.
Thank you for reading.
