The Duchess of Cornwall has become the patron of a new military charity for wounded servicemen, run by students #decaid
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In a statement the Duchess said she was “delighted” to become the royal patron of “such a worthwhile appeal”. A spokesman added: “She feels that this project, being undertaken by these committed young people, is a great way of showing the appreciation that so many feel for the inspiring and courageous work of our armed forces.”
The Duchess has also experienced first hand the suffering of soldiers and their families as Royal Colonel of 4th Bn The Rifles.
The group of 45 students, mostly from Exeter University, plan to raise the majority of the money with the flagship event of climbing all 283 Munros, the Scottish mountains over 3,000ft, in 49 days without using motorised transport.
The funds raised will be donated to three service charities of SSAFA Forces Help, British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association and Talking2Minds.
James Fish, DecAid’s spokesman who graduated a year ago and plans to join the Army, said: “It is a bit of a coincidence that we are doing this at a time when students are experiencing some negative press but all the same we are thrilled by the Royal patronage.”
The charity also hopes to increase awareness of the Armed Forces among the youth of Britain as well as those servicemen who have been killed in Afghanistan.
The DecAid events will culminate in October 2011 with a ‘Light for Life’ ceremony in Salisbury Cathedral, which will mark the 10th Anniversary of the War in Afghanistan.