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Coldstream Guards help the children of
Basra
12/10/2005
British soldiers based in south-eastern Iraq have been donating
clothing and toys to orphaned children in Basra.
 Throughout the summer the soldiers, from Number 2 Company First
Battalion The Coldstream Guards, have had family and businesses
back home in Britain collecting all manner of items aimed at
improving the lives of many of the city's orphans.
Sarah Mayhead, wife of Major John Mayhead, Officer Commanding
Number 2 Company First Battalion The Coldstream Guards, had the
idea of launching an appeal after John described the orphanages
to her during a phone conversation one evening.
Sarah decided that she must do something to try to help improve
the children's situation. She organised a charity collection by
the families of the Coldstream Guards' soldiers serving in
Basra. They collected enough clothing, books and toys to fill a
large freight container, which was sent out to Basra. Major
Mayhead said:
"I have seen children here whose clothes are falling apart. They
have no shoes, and if we can do just a little bit to help them
then it is worthwhile."
The soldiers intend to continue donating the remaining items
until they have managed to empty the container. They hope to
give as many children as possible the benefit of the goodwill
gifts.
The
appeal started at the end of May 2005. Once pictures of the
orphanages had been sent back to Aldershot, the wives and rear
party of the Coldstream Guards decided they would collect mainly
re-usable items such as clothes, toys and books, ensuring the
effect would be a lasting one.
Many people contributed, not only from within the Battalion, but
also the Coldstream Guards Regimental Association, soldiers
serving away from the Battalion, other families and friends and
even via the internet. By the end of July the Battalion's
Families Office had been overwhelmed with donations from across
the UK.
Since the container arrived in Iraq packed with 71 packing cases
full of goods, the soldiers have been distributing the goods
around the orphanages and local clinics while on patrol in the
city of Basra.
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