A Tern Hill woman is appealing for residents’ help to form a human chain in support of soldiers from the area currently serving in Afghanistan.
Tara Bradshaw is hoping at least 5,000 people will join “The Link of Love” to boost the morale of soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment who are on their latest tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The event takes place on December 5 at 2pm when Mrs Bradshaw hopes a human chain of almost four miles will be formed from Market Drayton’s Royal British Legion Club to the regiment’s base at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill.
She said: “I came up with The Link of Love idea during one of those anxiety-ridden, sleepless nights endured by thousands of people who have loved ones serving in war zones.
“This is ultimately a morale-boosting exercise to show our troops that they are all foremost in our hearts and minds and not for one second forgotten.
“It would need at least 5,000 people to form a human chain of roughly 3.8 miles, starting at the Royal British Legion Club in Market Drayton and ending at the gates of Clive Barracks, Tern Hill.”
Mrs Bradshaw’s husband Davy is among more than 120 soldiers from the regiment serving in Helmand Province and two of her sons are also soldiers.
She hopes to raise £5,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund, Midlands Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes from the event by asking for a £1 donation from those taking part.
Mrs Bradshaw said: “I’m appealing for support both locally and nationally because the more people that can join the chain, the more money will be raised for these worthy charities.
“When my husband and sons are away on tour, I feel a great sense of pride because it’s their job and they love it. I do worry about them but you just have to keep going and doing something like The Link of Love has given me something to focus on.
“I really hope that people will get involved because it will be such a big morale booster for the regiment.”
By Winston Brown