In Memory of Corporal Darryl 'Daz' Gardiner

HELP for HEROES is a charity set up in 2007 to help support our wounded servicemen and women injured in the current conflicts.
In 2008 Darryl 'Daz' Gardiner, the brother of a Police Officer colleague of ours, had his life taken from him while serving his country. On Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd April 2009 my friends and colleagues and I will attempt to run and walk a hilly 135km/84 miles from the West to the East coast of England in his name.

We would like to raise as much money as we can for the HELP for HEROES charity.Please visit the HELP for HEROES website at:
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/index.html but please, not before you've read these words from Darryl's mother.

Cpl Darryl Gardiner was killed on Sunday 20th January 2008 when his vehicle hit a mine during operations against the Taliban, 3km (1.8 miles) north east of Musa Qala, Northern Helmand. He was attached to 52 Brigade Reconisance Force as a REME engineer during his tour of Afghanistan, this was his second tour. He was known by his family and friends as Daz.

Daz is was a cheerful, intelligent and easy going person. He had a playful nature, a highly active and robust sense of humour and a passion for skydiving. As a skydiving instructor he was down to earth, relaxed and always encouraging - he never suffered from an ego problem and as such was an example of how to do it right. The best type of friend you could have, a man who was never down and always had a smile on his face.

Darryl was described by his seniors as a "very capable soldier" who always thought of others, he was selfless and others always came first.

Skydiving was his passion and his home 'Drop Zone' of Netheravon in Wiltshire was his 'Playground'.

From the age of 14 Daz attended Gordon's School in Woking, Surrey and was an active member of all Combined Cadet Forces, represented the school in many actvities. Captain of the Rugby XI, a member of the school band as a Drummer on official engagements, took part in the prestigious Ten Tors Walk and from all these achievements graduated as Deputy Head Boy, a position he was very proud of.

Daz was the middle of my three children, his older brother Paul is in the RAF and currently serving in Afghanistan. Laura, his younger sister is a Police Officer with West Midlands Police Force. As a family we have encountered the worst loss you can imagine but remain very proud of Daz and all his achievements.

Our thanks go out to the Officers from West Midlands Police Force for their commitment and efforts to complete this task in memory of Daz and in raising money to the Help for Heroes charity.

Thank you for your donations and be assured they will be received gratefully by this Forces charity.

Sharon Ross

Mother of Daz Gardiner

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