THE Rotary Club of Royal Wootton Bassett Town has received a medal in recognition of the fundraising efforts they have made for Help For Heroes over the years.

Last week, past president and the ambassador for Help for Heroes from the club, Colin Sweet, and senior vice president Hayley Woodall visited Tedworth House, near Tidworth, to receive a special medal.

The medal will now be added to the club president’s regalia and was presented by the military charity as a thank you for the £14,000 the club has raised during the past six years through sales of their annual charity calender.

Rotary Club president Ceri Pridding said: “It was just such an amazing honour.

“We raise money for charities because we want to support them and help them continue the good work that to do.

“To have them then turn around and give us something in return is just so unexpected and really touching.

“It was an honour in itself just to be nominated, but to win the medal as well... it really was very moving.”

The club was among 36 individuals and nominees chosen to take part in the ceremony.

Each group of the six who were given the award were invited to come to the front of the stage and stand in front of the six characters from the Band of Brothers while a synopsis of funds raised was read.

They were then presented with the special medal in a presentation box.

The presentation was all the more moving for the club considering the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan this week.

Ceri said: “It was particularly poignant for the club this week while the troops are withdrawing from Afghanistan, especially considering all the repatriations through the town where we showed our respect to the girls and boys who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“But for all the boys and girls that made that sacrifice there are hundreds who were flown into Birmingham and then went to Tedworth House to rehabilitate and learn to live without a limb, and that’s a life-long injury.

“It’s not being able to work in the job you loved doing any more and the impact on your future career prospects as well as everything else.

“Tedworth House is based in Wiltshire too, and that’s the other reason why Help For Heroes is so particularly important to us.”

As part of their ongoing fundraising efforts for military charities, the Rotary Club will host their inaugural Remembrance Charity Ball on November 7 in a black tie event to raise money for the SSAFA.

Tickets, which cost £35, are still available Ceri on 01793 854136 or by emailing rwbrotaryevents@gmail.com.