General

This year’s Lent Charity, Help for Heroes, was launched during the School Chapel service today. Sixth Formers Liam Fletcher (U6O) and Joshua Benn (L6S), who both have parents in HM Forces had suggested the charity as Repton has a strong personal connection with the Services through parents, some of whom are currently serving overseas, and the OR community.

 Liam is delighted to be able to support Help for Heroes, “I felt that it was such a superb cause and, in light of the School’s military history and current involvement, it would be an extremely worthwhile charity for the School community to support.” He added “I know of people who have benefited from the charity in my father’s regiment but who are still unable to talk about their experiences.”

Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in the summer of 2007 after a profoundly moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital. There they met some extraordinarily brave young people who had been badly wounded in the course of their service for the country and they wanted to do something to help.

The charity was launched in October 2007 and, with the backing and support of celebrities, The Royal Family and the media it met its first target, to raise £6m, within eight months. This provided a swimming pool and gym complex to help with the physical rehabilitation of wounded service men and women.

Help for Heroes has gone on to provide further funds to support both the physical and mental rehabilitation of troops returning from service. It also runs a house for relatives close to its complex for the wounded so that family visits can take place more easily.

Money is raised throughout the Lent term culminating with the Lent Charity Cabaret, an ambitious evening’s entertainment, created by and involving more than 150 pupils, which generated over £10,000 for each of the adopted charities in 2008 and 2009. This year’s show dates are 11^th, 12^th and 13^th March and more details will be available later in the term.