A crack squad of fundraisers at a department store have been raising money for the Help for Heroes charity.
The team at Debenhams at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham were equipped with balloons, wrist bands, key rings, lapel badges, and donation buckets.
It was professionally kitted out by Debenhams staff, and cosmetics supervisor Owen Ward even suited up as the Help for Heroes bear, to the delight of passing shoppers.
As a result, they have raised around £500 with more money to come in.
Help for Heroes’ mission is to deliver an enduring national network of support for wounded soldiers and their families.
Help for Heroes fundraiser Cathryn Butler, from Coedpoeth, was grateful to the Debenhams staff for their support.
She said: “I feel more support is needed for returning soldiers. They come back and they’ve seen awful things – things people shouldn’t have to see. One minute you’re fighting in a war zone. The next minute you’re back on the street.
“I don’t feel like there is enough done for mental health. That needs to be deal with as well as the physical injuries. Mental health is a hidden injury. People don’t notice it and don’t know what’s going on in people’s heads.”
Cathryn, a teaching assistant at St Christopher’s, a school for young people with special needs, is delighted with the response from shoppers at Eagles Meadow.
She said: “People at Eagles Meadow have been very generous. It’s really nice when people stop and have a quick chat. A lot of people here have a connection to the forces.
“Wrexham historically is a military town, so it’s something people in the town really feel.
“The staff at Debenhams have really got behind it as well. They’ve been great – really friendly, and really helpful.”
Owen, who dressed up as the Help for Heroes bear, added: “I’ve got behind Help for Heroes because I think sometimes we forget that there are conflicts going on in the world right now.
“Our boys and girls are away fighting and they’re coming back as well with these horrific injuries and so we’ve been trying to raise as much money as we can get to help them.”
According to Owen the Help for Heroes bear went down a storm with shoppers at Eagles Meadow.
He said: “Everyone loves the bear. It’s a great thing to have because it creates a sense of theatre in the store. It creates a great atmosphere. It’s something that kids and adult enjoy.
“People have been incredibly generous. They’ll just come across and give you money. I think that’s absolutely fantastic.
“Help for Heroes is a cause that really resonates with a lot of people here. It shows there is a real community spirit in Wrexham.
“The more money we raise the better. This money does make a huge difference. Every penny goes straight to Help for Heroes.”
Owen also paid tribute to the Help for Heroes volunteers.
He said: “The volunteers have been absolutely amazing. This is a cause they care passionately about, and you can see that.”
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley said: “I am delighted the fund-raising has been so successful because Help for Heroes is a wonderful organisation that deserves our support.”
For more information about Help for Heroes please visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/
