Former sergeant major to hold race for heroes

Jun 26 2009 by Sara Bain, Dumfries Standard Friday

A FORMER regimental sergeant major of the Royal Highland Fusiliers is continuing his battle to help British troops injured in the line of duty.

Tam McGaw, manager of the Buccleuch and Queensberry Hotel in Thornhill, is organising a race night on Friday, July 10, at 8pm in the hotel, to help boost the coffers of the Help for Heroes charity.

The evening is being run jointly by the Thornhill and District Branch of the British Legion and the Thornhill Rotary Club.

It promises to be a fun-packed night of entertainment where punters put bets on virtual favourites and watch their horses come in.

A compere from Race Night Scotland will give the evening a professional touch and there will also be a quiz to keep the brains active and audience participation games.

Organisers hope to raise over £800 for the Help for Heroes Troop Aid who supply grab bags for servicemen who are wounded in battle.

The bags are supplied to everyone who goes through hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan and Selly Oak.

Servicemen and women, injured on duty, often have to wait for their kit to catch up with them, sometimes it has been destroyed in the incident in which they were hurt.

The idea is for each of them to get a present to show how much they are appreciated.

Tam, who is the charity’s area co-ordinator, explained: “At the moment, soldiers are being blown up or injured and find themselves going through a series of events.

“On the ground, the wounded are helped by their colleagues who administer first aid from their med packs.

“The wounded soldier is then sent to a field surgeon who does a patch-up job to save his life.

“The casualty is then flown to hospital, which could be in London, and many of them wake up in strange surroundings with little idea of what happened to them, how they got there and without any personal belongings.

“The grab bag contains everything someone might need for a stay in hospital — things that make their lives more comfortable during their stay.

“Grab bags can make a big difference to an injured and disorientated soldier.”

A spokesperson for Help for Heroes added: “Each bag contains a variety of goodies as well as a letter from a school child and a note from the bag’s sponsor.

“Just think how good you would feel if you were a wounded soldier and this enabled you to have a wash and shave, make an extra phone call home, write a letter and read someone’s good wishes for your recovery.

“It’s so simple but sends a powerful message.”

Organisers are hoping for good community support for the race night.

“We intend to have a lot of fun during the evening and hope that members of the community will come along and support this very worthy cause,” Tam added.

Further information may be obtained from Tam on 01848 330789 or at the Buccleuch and Queensberry Hotel.