A cheque for £1,000.00 was handed over today to Ian Haig, the local fundraiser for Help For Heroes, the charity that supports wounded service men and women. The money was raised by the Abberley and Great Witley branch of the West Worcestershire Conservative Association at a recent Race Night held at Abberley Village Hall.

Ian Haig, himself a relative of Field Marshal Haig, who helped found the British Legion that runs the Remembrance Day Poppy Appeal, said "Help for Heroes does magnificent work in helping to rehabilitate our service personnel after their terrible injuries during the conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq and we very much appreciate the Conservative branch sharing with us their successful fundraising efforts."

Among the 100 people who attended the Race Night was Harriett Baldwin, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire. She commented: "I believe that it is important at this time of the year especially to be supporting our troops in the field and also Help For Heroes that does such great work assisting the wounded on their return. I am delighted that my local Conservative Association is supporting Help For Heroes, instead of sending Christmas cards."

Photo: Ian Haig (left) receives a cheque for £1,000.00 on behalf of Help For Heroes from Julian Clist (right) of the Abberley and Great Witley Conservative Association and Harriett Baldwin, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire