Volunteers check out with £3,681

HELPING the heroes . . . with the cheque (from the left) are Phil Caloe of the Royal British Legion, Tesco Community Champion Caroline Dean, PC Ian McDonald and Dave Parker, secretary of the Royal Artillery Association Oldham and District.

THE community pulled together to pack bags and raise £3,681 for men and women injured while serving with the Armed Forces.

Tesco, Oldham Police and Oldham pubs the Black Horse and the Weavers Arms teamed up with members of the Royal Artillery Association Oldham and District, Royal Navy, Women’s Royal Army Corps and the Royal Corps of Signals for the fundraiser.

For three days the volunteers helped shoppers at the checkouts at Tesco Extra, in Huddersfield Road, and collected money for Help For Heroes.

The charity was launched in 2007 to raise funds for the treatment and rehabilitation of injured service men and women.

PC Ian McDonald said: “Not only have we raised a lot of money for this worthy cause, but the event also provided us with the chance to talk to people in an informal environment who might not otherwise speak to an officer.”

Phil Caloe, county co-ordinator at the Royal British Legion, said: “We want to thank all the officers and of course the public who helped raise this money. We are always very grateful to everyone who takes the time to contribute to this worthy cause.”