BRITISH RESIDENTS START HELPING A NEW WAVE OF WOUNDED BRITISH TROOPS

TODAY, a wounded member of REME, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, will be flying into Majorca for a week's holiday thanks to the goodwill of a local British resident and next month, another group of Light Dragoons wounded in Afghanistan will also be coming out to Majorca courtesy of some good hearted British residents.

Robyn Dyche was caught up in a RPG (Rocket propelled grenade) blast in Afghanistan last year but is still recovering with a number of operations still pending.

REME Corps Welfare Warrant Officer Cliff Johnson contacted the Bulletin after having seen what former Irish Guard Stan Bowles did last year for the seriously wounded Marine Andy Grant and the Light Dragoons and Johnson hopes that Dyche will be the first of a number of wounded soldiers, from Afghanistan and Iraq, who will be coming out to Majorca.

The response to Johnson's initial plea through the Bulletin was positive and a number of people came forward offering their services.
Having previously been a Welfare Officer at the Headley Court Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre he not only knew Andy Grant and also saw the difference his Majorcan break did as he battled along his arduous road to recovery.

Not only do these holidays give the wounded a chance to get away from the routine of rehabilitation, which can sometimes be extremely frustrating, especially for the younger victims, it also boosts their spirits and gives them the extra motivation to continue with their fight to recovery when they return to either Headley Court of their regiments.

Johnson's role is to provide both medium and long term support to wounded personnel and their families, in addition to providing long term support to the bereaved families.

And, it is the latter that Johnson would also like to begin addressing and perhaps, if there is the help and support here in Majorca perhaps some of the bereaved can come out for a break. Any one wishing to get involved in whatever capacity in helping the wounded British soldiers and their families please email the Bulletin and all correspondence will be passed on in strict confidence.