Pull on your boots to help our troops during fundraiser at Barnet FC (From Times Series)

Pull on your boots to help our troops during fundraiser at Barnet FC

9:20am Friday 13th November 2009

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FIGHTING heroes need our help — so the Hendon & Finchley Times is launching a campaign to support Help for Heroes Day.

The Times is supporting an all-day football fundraiser at Barnet Football Club, in Barnet Lane, on December 12.

It is one of hundreds of events taking place across the country to raise money for those who have fought and been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The club has offered 500 tickets for its home match with Crewe to the cause, which will be sold for at least the cover price of £7 for adults and £2 for children.

Club bosses hope people will buy the tickets for much more, with the money raised going to the charity.

An adult eight-a-side tournament will also be held in the morning, at the Barnet CC cricket pitch behind Underhill Stadium, in Barnet Road.

So far, the Territorial Army, sailors from HMS Illustrious, Barnet Community Trust coaches, Barnet Police, and Brookmans Park FC have all expressed interest.

Serving soldier Paul Flannery, 21, who is due to go to Afghanistan at the end of the month, said: “I don’t think people are aware of how many people are getting injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. My mate’s just come back and 30 per cent of his unit were wounded.”

Trooper Flannery, from Ridgeway Close, Barnet, said soldiers did not get as much money as people might expect for risking their lives and it was very difficult for injured soldiers to adjust once back home.

He added: “I’ve got a lot of respect for people who try and help. People who are serving appreciate it.”

Janet Matthewson, community manager of the Barnet Football Club Community Trust, said the club felt strongly about the charity.

“It’s not about politics or why they are there, this is about the men and women who get injured fighting for our benefit.

“It’s about them risking their lives. We thought if there was any way we could help, we would.”

Tickets will be available using a special coupon printed in next week’s Times.

If you would like to enter a team, contact jmatthewson@barnetfc.com or call 020 8441 6932.

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