To All My friends

I'm supporting this event & great cause, organized by my old mate, fellow Gulf War GPMG Gunner & former professional footballer Neil Trebble. A match between the current Regimental football team & a team made up of the 'old & bold'. Not the most physically demanding event you might think....ask the wheezing 'aul knackers after '90 minutes mixing it up with the young 'uns & you might get a different response! The main reason i'm supporting this event & hopefully getting as many donations as you kind people can muster is the cause; The Colonel's fund provide support for Grenadiers & their families injured in recent conflicts & also supports the families of Grenadiers killed. It's named The Darren Chant memorial trophy & is the inaugural match of what will hopefully become an annual date for the diary. I served with Darren in the late '80's & early '90's, I knew him as a happy go lucky young lad, a natural Soldier & an outstanding athlete, always smiling & always game, for a laugh & a challenge. He went on to carve out a career of distinction within the Grenadier Guards & beyond, decorated for his bravery in the field & ultimately promoted the the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Regiment. His death in Afghanistan in 2009 was heartbreaking for all of us that knew him, but most especially his family, his Wife was pregnant at the time & his son was born after this terrible event. The first donation on this page is £100 from myself, obviously I don't expect you all to donate that amount....but anything you could spare would be amazing & you can feel proud to have helped change/improve the lives of these outstanding young men & their families. Thank you in advance. Mark.  'Some gave all-all gave some'

The Colonel's Fund has been raising money since 2007 in order to provide support to Grenadiers who have been seriously injured in Afghanistan, and to the families of those who have been killed. The Grenadiers have carried out 3 tours in Helmand Province and have lost 15 members of the Regiment who were killed in action; in addition, the Regiment has sustained a large number of battle casualties, with many suffering life changing injuries. And of course, there remains the unquantifiable number of young men who will have suffered mentally and who will need our support in the future.

We ask you to dig deep. We can assure you that we will not do this again and any contribution will make a difference - it all adds up and will take us one step nearer to reaching our target and ensure that the Colonel's Fund is well placed going forward to continue to support Grenadiers in need.

Below is a message from HRH Prince Philip, Colonel, Grenadier Guards which succinctly explains what we are trying to do for The Colonel's Fund:

"One of the most valuable features of the regimental system is the sense of comradeship which it creates between present and past members of the Regiment, and with all their families and friends. It is always there, but, when the need arises, it can be turned into tangible and appropriate support.

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