Major-General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter

Chief Executive, ABF, The Soldiers' Charity

I welcome this initiative by David Haythornthwaite to celebrate St. George’s Day in Lytham St. Annes. It is a day which highlights the history and heritage of England of which all true Englishmen and women should be justly proud. It will also be an opportunity for us all to come together to celebrate our past and look forward to the future.

St. George’s Day is a significant day for many historical reasons. King Edward III instituted the Order of the Garter on this day in 1348, and later William Shakespeare died on this day in 1616. When Charles II was restored to the throne he chose St. George’s Day 1661 for his coronation as King of England. It was important then; it should be now!

The British Army has played a major role in our history and today they are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is always a price to pay for such duty and service which the nation enjoys.

There are those who pay the ultimate price: in 2009/10 we had 211 killed in action and 1026 wounded. Many of the latter will not come to our notice for many years.

We are The Soldiers Charity. We give lifetime support to serving and retiring soldiers and their families. They risk so much for us, but for them, it's just 'doing their job'. In return, we give them down to earth help and friendship, with no hassle or bureaucracy. That's what we've been here to offer for 66 years.

Lt Col Philip Aindow MBE TD

North West Regional Director of Fundraising

Soldiers are a proud bunch. It takes a lot for them to ask for help, but sometimes the need is so great that they simply cannot manage on bravery alone.

The need can range from an electric wheelchair for a soldier’s disabled son or a stair lift for an injured former soldier to care home fees for a Second World War veteran or a much needed holiday for a war widow and her young children.

Recently we have seen a 30% year on year rise in applications from soldiers who have taken part in previous and current conflicts and we currently raise £7 million a year to meet this need.

As a result of Current Operations it is anticipated that the request for assistance will rise significantly in the coming years. It is the aim of The Soldier's Charity to increase fundraising to £14 million a year by 2015 to be sure that we can help each and every soldier that needs our help. We depend entirely on your donations and goodwill to do this.

Darren Swift

Former Lance Corporal, Royal Green Jackets, Double amputee and extreme sports enthusiast

There would be a lot of serving soldiers and ex soldiers both very old and young who wouldn’t be where they are without the help of ABF, The Soldiers' Charity.

Just knowing that there is a fund established to help you if you have suffered as a soldier is so good to know, and the ABF, The Soldiers' Charity does some incredible work through organisations like the British Limbless Ex Servicemen’s Association and the Not Forgotten Association.

We all know that the Scots, Welsh and Irish are very passionate about their patron saints, so it’s brilliant to see something being done to celebrate St. George’s Day. An event like this will work wonders for so many who are in need of support.