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A Concert for Hero’s

For more than fifty years I have viewed thousands of programs produced by the B.B.C, which on the whole have been a source of pleasure, a number of have disappointed, some have been utter rubbish.

At eight pm on September 12th 2010 the B.B.C produced a superb program (A Concert for Hero’s) a two hour show transmitted live from Twickenham. It is not often I can sit still for that amount of time, but with a glass of beer in hand; I became affixed to a comfortable chair. And it was all very much worthwhile!

The programs purpose was to raise awareness and funds for UK’s wounded servicemen and women through www.helpforheroes.org.uk who have done so much to give financial support to those men and women retuning from war zones with all types of wounds. The charity also gives support to the families of the wounded.

Having said that, When my Grandson returned from Afghanistan with his spleen blown to bits by an I.E.D the only charity that gave him support was Troup Aid (http://www.troopaid.info/)

However, back to the concert and its considerable cast which included Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, Alesha Dixon, James Blunt, Pixie Lott, Enrique Iglesias, Sir Tom Jones, The Wanted, Alexandra Burke and Plan B.

These are just a few who can be thanked for giving up their time and effort in such an unselfish way, there must have been many more who deserve thanks which should include the Roadies, Stage Hands, Managers, and numerous  organizers.

Now this brings me to two further points.

1). My wife and I were watching the last in the series of Big Brother on television a few weeks ago. One of the contestants a man named Steve, (several years ago during the unrest) disastrously, had both legs blown off, and the muscles of his right arm severely damaged by a bomb in Northern Ireland. He was also blinded in one eye. It appears the reason he appeared in the TV show to raise enough money to purchase two decent artificial legs.

It now beggars’ the question, ‘why having served the needs of his country when called upon, is he still waiting for his country to do the decent thing for him’.

The government of the day send men into conflict but seem to close the eyes to their injuries they so often receive!
Help for Hero’s and all the other military charities with the millions that they have in the bank ought to have come to his aid a long time ago.

MP's hold a debate in The House of Commons on the war in Afghanistan

2). During the beginning of September the House of Commons held a debate on the war in Afghanistan. Of the six hundred and fifty MPs fewer than one hundred attended. (See picture) Well done to those of you who attended, shame on you those that did not.

Whilst you send the sons and daughters of your electorate to war, it seems that you are not concerned enough to attend and argue the reasons why they are there. Perhaps you had more pressing business to focus on like submitting your monthly expense claims.

I do wonder just how many MP’s have a son or daughter serving in Afghanistan or Iraq.

The Codger - September 24th 2010
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