Photo: Alan Mak with Rally for Heroes supporters at Tesco Havant
Havant MP Alan Mak has backed the Rally for Heroes initiative as a ‘driving force for charity’ as he backed their fundraising campaign at Havant’s Tesco Express superstore. Mr Mak praised the charity, which organises a biennial drive across the UK and mainland Europe, for its efforts in raising money for Armed Forces charities such as SSAFA, Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.
The Havant MP joined the fundraising drive alongside participants in the coming year’s blue ribbon event. For the third time, Havant residents proved generous in their donations, adding to the £7000 already raised by the Tesco store.
The main event, which sets off from Portsmouth Harbour on 5th August 2016, will see over 100 participants in 60 vehicles driving five miles for every fallen serviceperson since the start of the conflict in Afghanistan. The Rally, which was officially launched in May 2011, hopes to build on past success by raising over £100,000 for the soldiers’ charities in 2016.
The route will take drivers through France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain back to France and on to the UK – covering over 2500 miles in commemoration of the 456 British service personnel who have died in the Afghan conflict since 2003.
Mr Mak said: “I was delighted to meet the Rally for Heroes campaigners at Havant’s Tesco, where residents were extremely generous in their contributions to this excellent initiative. It’s vital that we protect and support our brave service personnel around the world, both past and present.”
The Havant MP added: “I am immensely proud of Havant’s contribution to Rally for Heroes, and wish the drivers and participants all the best on their epic drive across Europe this summer. Rally for Heroes will continue to be a driving force for soldiers’ charities for years to come.”
Commander Steve Shaw, who works at Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth is also one of 3 Directors within Rally for Heroes: “The people of Havant have shown their generosity on the last two occasions that Rally for Heroes has visited Tesco to raise funds for SSAFA, something for which we are immensely grateful. We are quite stunned by their willingness to support us.”
Havant MP Mak has been a long-term supporter of the Armed Forces and charities that support them. Mr Mak is a member of The British Legion, having founded their flourishing Young Professionals’ Branch, and has recently supported campaigns by SSAFA and Homes for Heroes in Westminster.