SHOPPING CENTRE SECURITY TEAM DIG DEEP TO SUPPORT COMMANDO CAUSE

The security team at Yate shopping Centre were so impressed with the commitment shown by the a vocal harmony group raising funds for the Go Commando Help the Heroes campaign they dug into their own pockets and donated £250 of their Christmas bonus to the cause. This was then matched by their employers, Phoenix Group Services, bringing the total to £500.00.

The security team were inspired by the 'Dixie Belles', a 1940's vocal harmony group made up of army wives and friends from 40 Commando, who stood in the cold and wet singing to the Yate Public at the Centre prior to Christmas.

The group raise money for the Go Commando Help the Heroes Campaign which supports the families of soldiers deployed in conflict zones along with soldiers injured whilst in service and their subsequent rehabilitation.

The Idea to have a whip round came from former commando officer Scott Fitzgerald himself a veteran of the Iraq Campaign. Scott quite simply told the team how bad Christmas can be for those serving on the frontline from his own experience. The team immediately raised the £250 and with Phoenix Group Services having strong military ties it was an easy decision to make a matching donation.

Lee Walden the site Security Manager said: "We were so taken by Scott's recollections of his time on the frontline it was an easy decision to make. Despite harsh times here at home, nothing can match what our troops and families go through".