Sick soldiers given a boost by huntsmen (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Sick soldiers given a boost by huntsmen

12:32pm Tuesday 29th January 2008 in News By Emma Tilley

THE Cotswold Hunt joined forces with the Help for Heroes campaign on Saturday to raise much-needed funds to support British servicemen in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Around 60 mounted members of the hunt and its followers dug deep into their pockets for the charity before they set off at Tally Ho farm in Guiting Power.

Help for Heroes collection buckets were filled and wristbands, labels and cartoons by Bryn Parry were sold to raise money.

Organiser Philip St Pier said the high spirits on the day meant there were some very generous donors.

"It was a lovely day and the location across the glorious Gloucestershire views was superb," he said.

In total the Help for Heroes campaign, which was launched three months ago, raised £2,050 in a week.

Mr St Pier said: "It just shows that country folk feel concerned about what our servicemen and women are doing in places like Iraq and Afghanistan."

The money raised by the national campaign will support the various military hospitals in the country and help provide better support for injured soldiers.

Several retired members of the hunt were ex-servicemen.

Mr St Pier added: "Before World War I soldiers rode into battle and learnt their battle skills from hunting so there is definitely an historic link in horsemanship."

For more information about the charity visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk