About Us
Expats4afghanheroes has been created to give Expats all over the world the chance to show their support for the fallen heroes in Afghanistan. It is directly linked to Afghan Heroes in the UK. All proceeds will be sent to them.
On this site I have listed past and upcoming events. This is a chance for all Expats no matter where you live to DO something.
Afghan Heroes Charity was started by 8 mothers whose sons all died on July 9th and 10th 2009. The charity was formed to give support to all troops in theatre in Afghanistan and to give support to the families of the fallen heroes. You can find out more information by clicking on the link above. You will find all the our past fundraising events there too.
Mission Statement by Afghan Heroes
Is to support all our service peronnel operating in theatre in Afghanistan, by providing the much needed "home comfort" supplies and gifts ot the 9,000 service personnel, to promote and embrace the new initiative "Thank a Soldier" and to ensure our soldiers know they are not alone. On the home front we will set up support groups for the families of the fallen. We will also set up regional network groups and events so families can come together and support each other.
History
I started fundraising for Afghan Heroes Charity in September 2009, when our group of line dancers decided to sell a charity CD for Afghan Heroes. I took over the events co-ordination, promoted and organised events over the next 3 months.
During the 3 months at the end of 2009 we raised 3866.32 Euros for Afghan Heroes. This year we are aiming to donate over 20,000 Euros.
Having a husband who works in Afghanistan as a civilian, I am aware on a daily basis of the reality of what is happening to both the troops and how their families feel. Many of our group and Expats living here in Spain have relatives stationed in Afghanistan, and speaking to them, they are grateful that they can do something to help.
There are so many people who do not live in the UK who want to do something for, what are essentially OUR lads and lasses, but don't know what to do. This site will give everyone a chance to show that support.
What started off as some local fundraising has snowballed into a worldwide phenomena.
Recently we have started a Facebook Group Expats 4 Afghan Heroes, and are also on Twitter - Expats4ah.
Don’t ignore our troops plight!
This September will be the first Anniversary of Afghan Heroes Charity. Formed by 8 mothers who all lost their sons on 2 days of fighting in Afghanistan, the mothers have worked tirelessly to raise funds for both the servicing troops in Afghanistan and their families.
Since setting up the Charity Afghan Heroes have sent 10,000 gift boxes of thanks: - one for each and every soldier serving in Afghanistan. Money has also been donated to Selley Oak Hospital and the 3rd Rifles. Many of the injured who are transferred from Selley Oak Hospital in Birmingham for rehabilitation have such horrific limb and head injuries that a special pool table was donated to them by Afghan Heroes.
Their work continues with a holiday home already set up for use of the families of the fallen, and the aim is to buy 8 more spread all over the country and retrain those who have to leave the forces due to injuryThousands Injured
With a death count of well over 300, and thousands more having been injured both physically and mentally it is critical that we do something to help our brave troops who are giving their all for us. We may have become complacent by being swamped with news coverage of troops who seem to be dying every week. But there is a much bigger problem at hand. The injured soldiers are taken to Selley Oak Hospital and then to Headley Court for rehabilitation. There is such a high turnover of injured servicemen that we may end up with 100s of young disabled ex-servicemen who will end up on the streets. Not all military personnel have their own homes, and once they have been badly injured not only have they lost their careers and income, but for a large proportion also their homesMental Torture If we do not do something to support our Heroes, and this is a time that this word is appropriate, then the knock on effect will spread like wildfire. We are not just talking about servicemen being injured, but families torn apart from grief and lack of funds, children who don’t know how to cope with parents who may or may not die. There are also the mental injuries that many who have served in Afghanistan don’t even know they have. We cannot appreciate the vile sights that these young people have had to witness, and the mental torture that they go through on a daily basis. It is no wonder that we have youngsters who are trying to block out the memories and nightmares with drink and drugs. Some just have violent tempers or go into a deep depression.
Plans for the future
We can do something to stop this problem escalating to epidemic proportions – it is just going to take money. Afghan Heroes are aiming to raise over £2 million to build a centre whose task will be to give counselling to all who need it and to give full rehabilitation to those who at present are not receiving it.
More holidays home will be built to give the families of the fallen free holidays in the UK. Afghan Heroes are also in the process of setting up drop in centres.
There will be more troops deployed to Afghanistan, and next year Afghan Heroes will be sending 12,500 gift boxes of thanks. To put that into prospective, try counting from 1 – 12,500 and see how long it takes. Each one of these young people has a family and friends and a very real chance of being damaged.
How you can help
Jackie Lawson has been The Regional Coordinator for Afghan Heroes since they formed, and has set up Expats 4 Afghan Heroes to raise money for Afghan Heroes Charity. She has a website www.expats4afghanheroes.com which lists all of her fundraising venues, competitions and news. She has also set up a Facebook Group Expats 4 Afghan Heroes, which had over 400 members in the first 2 weeks.
Jackie, whose husband has worked in Afghanistan for 3 years has worked alone, and has raised over 15,000 Euros for Afghan Heroes since it started. She needs your help! Volunteers are needed to help sell show tickets, help at the events and to be coordinators in their area.
Expats 4 Afghan Heroes also needs raffle and auction prizes from individuals and businesses. Jackie works on a voluntary basis and would like the backing of any company who wants to show their support for Afghan Heroes.
“I know it is too hot at the moment here in Spain for most people to want to do anything”, Jackie says,” But when you consider that in Afghanistan the temperature is 45 degrees and higher, and the guys and girls have to wear full kit, carry a pack and most of the time body armour 24/7. They have given the government a blank cheque payable on demand for their lives, the least we can do for them is say thank you with a bit of time and money. I have fundraising show on every month, they are a lot of fun and raise money for our troops and their families. I have set a target of 20,000 Euros this year, and know that if more people back us, then we will easily get that and more.”
To make a difference
Facebook Group – Expats 4 Afghan Heroes
Tel – Jackie 697501992
Show tickets available from The Post Room, Benijofar and Expats 4 AH events
Afghan Heroes Wristbands – Expats 4 AH Events, The Post Room, Benijofar, La Marina bar, Toretta 2, Busters Bar, Playa Flamenca, The New Odd Couple, Miraflores
If you would like to organise a fundraising event where you live, I am on hand to give you advice. If you would like to help or offer your services, whether you are a performer, have a venue or are just someone that wants to DO something positive - let me know. I will attempt to use you all in the best way that will earn the most money, and therefore, give the most support to out troops.
Look forward to hearing from you soon
Jackie Lawson
