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Engelsk enhed svømmer penge hjem til børnehjem i Baghdad
SOLDIERS SWIM TO SUPPORT ORPHANAGE
BAGHDAD, Iraq - On one of the hottest days in Baghdad so far this year soldiers from 16 Signal Regiment and 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers of the Baghdad Support Unit laid down their arms, picked up their towels and headed for the pool.
24. maj, 2004 - Kl. 02.00
[Oprindeligt publiceret af Hærstaben]
This particular swimming pool was in one of the splendid gardens at the rear of one of Sadam's former main palaces in the center of Baghdad. The aim of the event was to raise money for local orphanages caring for mentally handicapped children. This fundraiser was the brainchild of Signaler Wendy Cunington who has been the main project officer for raising money for the orphanages.
What this simple idea turned into was a grueling 6-hour marathon with the troops swimming a continuous relay of lengths in intense heat with each length earning dollars. Over 700 lengths of the pool later the swimmers raised over, an incredible $6,000.
."
A further $1000 dollars was raised by an auction of rugby memorabilia donated by the Wales and Scotland rugby teams, and a camel racing evening.
The money raised will go towards purchasing a mini-bus, air-conditioning units and juice making machines. "The orphanages are something the BSU has been helping for ages," said Wendy.
The orphanages are located in downtown Baghdad and house mentally handicapped children. In the past, the BSU has donated toys, air-conditioning units, refrigerator and microwave. Furthermore, they plan to continue providing long-term assistance to the orphanages whenever they can.
"It's good to help the kids," said Cpl Craig Buckingham, one of the swimming participants from 16 Signal Regiment. "We don't actually get to see a lot outside of the 'green zone' walls, so it's good to know we are having a positive effect outside." Lieutenant Mark Munnich, OIC the BSU force protection, said "that wherever we (the British Army) go, whenever there is any kind of need required, we try to do building projects and help out any way we can."
OP TELIC hjemmeside
This particular swimming pool was in one of the splendid gardens at the rear of one of Sadam's former main palaces in the center of Baghdad. The aim of the event was to raise money for local orphanages caring for mentally handicapped children. This fundraiser was the brainchild of Signaler Wendy Cunington who has been the main project officer for raising money for the orphanages.
What this simple idea turned into was a grueling 6-hour marathon with the troops swimming a continuous relay of lengths in intense heat with each length earning dollars. Over 700 lengths of the pool later the swimmers raised over, an incredible $6,000.
."
A further $1000 dollars was raised by an auction of rugby memorabilia donated by the Wales and Scotland rugby teams, and a camel racing evening.
The money raised will go towards purchasing a mini-bus, air-conditioning units and juice making machines. "The orphanages are something the BSU has been helping for ages," said Wendy.
The orphanages are located in downtown Baghdad and house mentally handicapped children. In the past, the BSU has donated toys, air-conditioning units, refrigerator and microwave. Furthermore, they plan to continue providing long-term assistance to the orphanages whenever they can.
"It's good to help the kids," said Cpl Craig Buckingham, one of the swimming participants from 16 Signal Regiment. "We don't actually get to see a lot outside of the 'green zone' walls, so it's good to know we are having a positive effect outside." Lieutenant Mark Munnich, OIC the BSU force protection, said "that wherever we (the British Army) go, whenever there is any kind of need required, we try to do building projects and help out any way we can."
OP TELIC hjemmeside