AS soldiers from Worcestershire prepare to return to the front line in Afghanistan a former paratrooper is urging people and businesses to help raise and donate money to Help for Heroes.

Peter Elcock has become the charity’s new fund-raising representative for Worcester and he is leading by example by donating one day’s pay every month over the next two years in a personal quest to raise at least £10,000.

Help for Heroes is a charity that supports servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Elcock, who works at Green Self Storage, Hylton Road, Worcester, said: “We are looking for places to put tins in and I’m in contact with the supermarkets to see if we can do something at the frontage of their stores.

“My role is to be someone people can contact if they want to support the charity and if they want to do something I can give them guidance and help.”

Mr Elcock, who spent more than 30 years in the armed forces and used to be senior recruiter at the army careers office in Foregate Street, Worcester, said Help for Heroes was a good cause made even more poignant by the fact soldiers from Worcestershire with 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) are about to return to Afghanistan.

“I think Help for Heroes has really caught the public’s imagination,” he said.

“It’s a young, dynamic charity and there was a gap in the market for looking after the soldiers.

“I’m donating one day’s pay a month for the next two years and I’m asking people to donate one day’s pay for the year, or as little or as much as they can.

“To date Help for Heroes has raised more than £15 million and they have spent about £12 million, which is the important thing because it’s not just sitting there.

“They also give to SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) and the RBL (Royal British Legion).

“They’re not trying to replace these charities; where there is help needed they will help.”

For more information about Help for Heroes visit helpforheroes.org.uk or if you want to sponsor Mr Elcock visit justgiving.com/wishbone.

Alternatively contact Mr Elcock by e-mail at peter. elcock@helpforheroes.org.uk or call 01905 427427 during working hours.