East Anglian Regiment – 16 Air Assault Brigade
Colchester based troops now serving in Afghanistan were given a massive moral booster with thousands of pounds of computer games and equipment – more than half coming from
the Lions Club of Rayleigh.
This was then matched by Colchester Garrison funds before a special deal was put together by GameStation in Colchester.
The kit, including six Xbox 360 consoles, a range of controls and more than 45 games, will find its way to a range of locations in Helmand to help troops have a means to relax when they are off duty.
The kit was delivered to Merville Barracks, the home of 16 Air Assualt Brigade and
Colchester Garrison, on Wednesday, 5 March 2008 at 10am, where it was collected by Garrison
Deputy Commander Colonel Tony Phillips and troops from 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse
Artillery.
Jim Stevenson a member and former president of Rayleigh Lions, was on hand when the kit was delivered.
He said:”People where fully aware of the conditions in which the troops are operating so obviously if we can do something for them in those circumstances we will but it is also to show our full support for what they are doing.”
Gunner Ian Page, from 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, said:”Computer consoles were very popular with soldiers and many of the boys took out their own; but for those who didn’t these would be very gratefully received and well used.”
Colonel Tony Phillips said:”We are extremely Grateful to the Lions of Rayleigh for their Fundraising efforts and looking for an innovative way to support the younger troops deployed on operations”