Whilst attending the Phoenix Networking Lunch in Birmingham yesterday I met Di Lamb of the Royal Air Force Aero medical Evacuation Cell. Di is one of the people who has the tough job of flying from Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham to some of the troubled places you regularly see on the news – Afghanistan for instance – and help care for and bring home injured Armed Forces personnel.

Di is organising an event tomorrow (Saturday 31st October) in Birmingham called “Peddle a Poppy” to help raise funds for The Royal British Legion, so I promised Di I would help promote the event to the Geek Community. :-)

Full details below – if you aren’t able to attend, why not make a donation at www.bmycharity.com/peddleapoppy – otherwise, get on your bike and take the Peddle a Poppy Challenge!

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Peddle a Poppy Challenge

The poppy is perhaps the most poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by servicemen and women who have fought in wars both recent and long past, and a Brigadier and his medical team will cycle across Birmingham this weekend to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

The cycle ride on 31 October, starting at Birmingham International Airport, will etch an outline of a Poppy around Birmingham and the journey taken by patients to each of the city’s main hospitals at which they might receive care for their injuries, finishing at Selly Oak Hospital.

The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) team based at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham will be led by RCDM Commandant, Brigadier Christopher Parker and will comprise many of the departments instrumental in repatriating casualties from Afghanistan and will be augmented by members of Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements based at Andover and 2 Group Air Operations based at RAF Brize Norton. Brigadier Parker said: “The Royal British Legion does a tremendous job for service personnel past and present, and this fund-raising cycle ride struck us as being a novel way of supporting the organisation at a time of year when we remember those who have given so much for the nation.”

Local businesses have also given their support by donating very generous gifts to be raffled at a social function that evening. Among others, Fletchers Autostore in Birmingham donated a mountain bike and The Old School Bed and Breakfast in the Cotswolds donated a luxury weekend for two including a spa package and dinner at a local restaurant.

This event will also serve to thank University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust staff, military personnel and Birmingham Emergency Services for the endless care they so diligently provide in support of casualties and their families at such a difficult time.

The aim of the event is to boost funds for the valuable work carried out by the Royal British Legion in support of Armed Forces personnel and their families. You can help us to remember those that have given so much by making a poppy pledge online at: www.bmycharity.com/peddleapoppy

It is quick, secure and attracts an additional 28% tax relief for UK taxpayers.

For further information, please contact Squadron Leader Di Lamb on 0121 627 8386

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