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As the Soldiers' Charity, the ABF provides vital financial help to the heartbroken families of those lost and the hundreds of soldiers who have suffered psychological and physical injuries whilst serving their country.
Sergeant Paddy Caldwell is one of these soldiers...
33-year-old Paddy, a respected Sergeant of the Third Battalion Parachute Regiment, was shot through the neck while on duty in Afghanistan in 2006. The bullet severely injured his spine leaving him paralysed with limited muscle and nerve function from the neck down.
Paddy made an impressive recovery, to the point where he was able to take a job in his Regiment's Welfare Office but he was going to need an adapted vehicle to get him to work. Colonel Stuart Tootal, DSO OBE, his commanding officer, called upon the ABF...
"To see such a brave young soldier feel knocked back at his chances in life because of a lack of funds for necessary equipment was very disheartening.
"Approaching a charity for help is a big thing for anyone to do, so I decided to contact the ABF on Paddy's behalf. They wasted no time in getting into action to raise the funds and now Paddy has the exact adapted vehicle he needs."
- Colonel Stuart Tootal, DSO OBE
"I've come this far in my recovery and believe I can go a whole lot further.
"Having the adapted car has helped me beyond words and made a massive difference to my life everyday. It's great to know that there is a fund out there able to help when you need it."
- Sergeant Paddy Caldwell
The ABF's Current Operations Fund was specifically set up for supporting injured solders and their families as a result of their service during the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A gift or donation from you today will go straight to the Current Operations Fund to support the members of the Army family, like Paddy, who deserve it most.
