Keaton secures cheque for Thank The Forces charity

Keaton, who lives in Little Common, is making a name for himself winning awards for his fundraising skills and voluntary work. He has been actively involved with Thank the Forces raising awareness and funds for the only registered Charity in the area to have a confidential agreement to send gift boxes filled with treats and sweets to British Forces serving in Afghanistan.

Keaton's endeavours won him not only a Bexhill Achievers Award last year, but Prince Harry also presented him with a Woman's Own Children of Courage Award for Fundraising at Westminster Abbey.

On hearing that General Dynamics UK Ltd supply the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with vital equipment and are a leading prime contractor and complex systems integrator working in partnership with the UK's MOD and other allies, Keaton boldly decided to write to them asking if they would donate to the charity either with stationary or with a financial donation.

And, on the 2nd August 2009 Keaton's fund-raising skills paid dividends when Paul Goodchild from General Dynamics visited Keaton at his home and presented him with a cheque for 500 made payable to Thank The Forces Charity.

Charity founder and chair of trustees Sue Smith from Polegate, East Sussex is a soldier's mum and started Thank The Forces Charity when her son Carl was serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Sue said:"To receive such a large donation from General Dynamics UK Ltd is a fantastic achievement by Keaton. He is a real star and spends his spare time raising awareness and funds, packing and wrapping at our unit in Hailsham and every week he comes up with new ideas and ways to secure vital donations and funds to ensure our brave troops receive gift boxes crammed with sweets and treats to brighten their day.'"

She added: " I have been bowled over by the generosity of the public who have made Thank The Forces Charity possible, it is a vital and much needed service, providing the general public with a confidential way to send goodwill messages to the troops who serve them so well. The Military Covenant states that as a nation we are mutually obliged to value and support our soldiers and this is the sole aim of Thank The Forces Charity."

All gift boxes are sent to members of the Forces Chaplaincy and passed to where the need is greatest at any given time.

For further information visit the website at: www.thanktheforces.com