HOT News!

It's been a while since our last blog post but that does not
mean we have not been working on H.O.T behind the scenes.

We are really excited to be have our very own Virgin Money Giving page now live!

This makes it so simple for you to fundraise for H.O.T in the way that best suits you.
You can fundraise for us in a Nationally organised event such as a Marathon.
You can organise your own team event for us.
You can get family & friends to sponsor you in an Event in place of a Birthday or Christmas present, or you can fundraise in memory of someone special to you.

If all that sounds like it might be a bit too much effort at this time of year you can always make a one off donation, or set up to pay monthly.

Anyway that you can help is brilliant, every little last penny will go towards helping those that need it most-right at ground level.
Remember, we have no paid staff, no major Corporate offices, no paid staff at all, in fact very few overheads other than a few stamps!
That's it, in a nutshell. Completely voluntary and free from fanfare.
So you can be sure that your hard earned pennies are going to be put to the very best use that they can be.

So pop over to the site and have a chat with your friends and family about what you could do to raise funds. Try and make it as much fun as possible, that way you're sure to get more support.
Don't forget, if you need any help with ideas or just want to get in touch with a team member for more information you can contact us on the main H.O.T Website.

And just for those that like to stay on the move you can now get our updates straight to your mobiles! Just text HOTUKCHARITY to 86444 (applies to the UK only).

We will have more news for you very soon, stay safe and warm wherever you are.

The H.OT. Team.

HOT Weekend

On the 26th & 27th June, Honour Our Troops in the Borders staged a HOT Weekend. This started with a Parade of Colours involving over 150 people and 40+ organisations from military, former military and civilians to show their support of our service personnel on Armed Forces Day.

Parade of Colours

The route took us along the High Street in Coldstream, which was lined with people clapping and cheering to Henderson Park where the Coldstream Guards Stone stands. Whilst in Henderson Park a short speech was given by the organiser Keith, from HOT in the Borders and Mal Franks our Honour Our Troops Founder. Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire, Major Alexander Trotter, then presented Mrs Elizabeth Reid, County Commissioner of the Berwickshire Girl Guides, with an Honour Our Troops Award for Achievement. This was given in recognition for over 30 years of loyal service to our young people many of whom go on to become service personnel or spouses of service personnel. The Girl Guides also give their loyalty to Queen and Country as do our forces and this was re-iterated by Mal in his speech. The Parade then returned along the High Street to its' starting point where it was dismissed and everyone was welcome to attend a buffet in The Eildon.

Baxterbear helped the HOT in the Borders marshals on the Parade, as each carried their own Baxterbear, who supports Honour Our Troops, in their rucksacks!

Our thanks go to all who took part in the Parade of Colours, not least 6th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, Lt Col Simon Pritchard Royal Marines Reserves, RAF Chief Technician Peter Walton, Lance Sergeant Mal Franks of the Coldstream Guards, Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore MP and many many more.

We would also like to thank all the local businesses who donated to the buffet. To read more take a look at the HOT website.

Alvin Stardust HOT Patron

Sorry we haven't been around lately, but with the HOT Weekend (which we will blog about soon) and everyone helping to organise it, we just haven't had the chance to Blog at all.

So let's bring you all up to speed! Big news first.....................

ALVIN STARDUST has become a Patron for HOT!

Yes that's right the one and only 'Godfather of Rock' is supporting and helping Honour Our Troops!!!!

From hits such as 'My Coo-Ca-Choo' to 'You You You' everyone knows Alvin Stardust. Read his quote and see his unique photograph for HOT on the HOT website!

He feels passionately about HOT and although working hard this year with the launch of his new album 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll', he will be supporting HOT at events next year so watch this space!

We have just had our HOT Weekend and Martin Dunford has walked Coast to Coast for us. Events are never far from our mind and so there are plenty of local events happening in the next few months so check out the website or contact fundraising@honour-our-troops.org.uk for more information.

GREAT NEWS!

Since we last updated all you Troopers we have even more news now............................

Honour Our Troops is now officially a registered charity with our own number!
This has been a long time coming as we wanted to get it all just right. So our patient hard work has paid off and now we are a registered charity. You will find our number on the home page of our website - so what you waiting for - go take a look.

Even more good news is that Alex ran the Great Edinburgh Run in just over an hour - we will keep you updated on how much he raised, but for now WELL DONE Alex!

And yet more good news - Sam did get LOST for HOT and did magnificently well. He and his team were dropped off somewhere around Hull and were the first team back from the North!!! The team came 8th overall which was no mean feat. I think he is still asleep after his mammoth journey. A courageous young man to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere, with nothing on him to help him and still find his way back to his University - he must really like his studies! Check his JustGiving page to see how much he has raised and you still have time to donate! We will keep you updated with how much he finally raises, but for now let's thank him for getting LOST for HOT!

HOT Wheels 24hr Challenge
The guys are really gearing up the pace now as it is only 11 days before they set off on their challenge. They need all the support they can get - so go to our Facebook pages and post a message for them. All serving personnel, all in their own time, all doing it for HOT! Magnificent!

That's it for now as we don't want to overload you with good news. Keep clicking on our website to find out more and on our Facebook and Twitter pages to keep updated.

Thanks for stopping by.

Honour Our Troops

Just a little note,,,,,

Just popping by to let you all know about a couple of changes on the blog.

You might have noticed our Facebook link at the top - makes it easy for you to find us!

And to make contacting us all even easier -( how kind are we?) we now have a new page
"How To Contact Us".

It has all of our pages and links on it including our email so now you can 'like', 'tweet', 'share' and 'comment' & donate to your hearts desire plus download all of our sponsorship forms, information packs, logos and desktop backgrounds.

More news to follow soon, don't forget to add us to your favourites and pop by every day as you never know what will happen around here!

So much to tell!!

Hello Troopers,

Sorry I have been away from my keyboard, but we have been busy here at HOT, so let's bring you all up to speed.

Sam Gets LOST for HOT
Sam was interviewed as we told you on thursday - this is going to be aired by BFBS at 17:30 tomorrow (wednesday), so catch it if you can! Can't wait! Just click on the link tomorrow and you can listen to it live - don't forget to turn the volume up!

Run man, RUN!
Alex from Coldstream is running in the Great Edinburgh Run this sunday for Honour Our Troops - at 63 he looks (and acts) as young as ever. Catch up with what he is doing by clicking on the link Run man, RUN! With no military links he feels strongly that all our Forces deserve the help they need. So show your support and sponsor him even if only for a couple of quid, it all makes a difference.

HOT Midsummers Ball
All is going well and our HOT in the Borders Team are hard at work with every spare minute making decorations, contacting people for donations and prizes etc - you know what it's like, so much to do - so little time. I think by the time the Ball comes around they will need a well earned rest. But as they say no rest for the wicked and our HOT in the Borders Team must have been very wicked - just read on.........

Parade of Colours
The HOT in the Borders Team are cracking on with the organisation of this for 26th June (yep you got it - the day of the Ball) which is Armed Forces Day - how appropriate is that?! Remember I said about no rest for the wicked? Well the girls on the team are taking a couple of hours off from decorating and getting everything ready for the Ball to be marshalls for the Parade. Should be good and so far most of the people attending the Ball are either going to watch the Parade or take part in it! Fantastic!!

Don't forget on the 27th June (yep the day after the Ball) there is a Packing Day supported by Honour Our Troops for 1/6 SCOTS. So if you are in area why don't you drop by and have some fun!

HOT Wheels 24hr Challenge
Well the news from the guys is that they are training hard and all is going well. They must be as they don't even get the chance to answer their phone. Will keep you posted on how they are getting on. Remember it's 24hrs - 120 miles - 2 wheels - no engines! Phew - get tired just thinking about it - go on guys!

HOT Shots
Don't forget to send your photos of your St. George's Day celebrations to fundraising@honour-our-troops.org.uk remember some of them will be posted on our HOT website and watch out for St Andrews Day and St David's Day!

There is more to come - I promise you and we will keep posting news as we get it. Feel free to post comments of what you think and anything you would like to be included in our HOTBlog.

Ta Ta For Now and we will write again soon.

Sam Gets Interviewed

Well Troopers,

Great news! Our very own Sam who is getting Lost for HOT on 8th May 2010 is being interviewed today by our good friends at BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service).

His interview won't be aired until next week, but rest assured we will keep you all posted so that you can listen in.

Now Sam remember to breathe....................!

St George's Day HOT Shots

Hi All you Troopers,

Well the team at HOT have come up with a grand idea.......................

They want you to take a pic of you celebrating St. George's Day and send it in to them.

They will then choose the best ones - so no rude ones please - and post them up on their website.

Click here to read all about it St George's Day HOT Shots and join in.

As you can see Geoff (one of our Troopers for HOT) enjoyed St George's Day last year.

For all those from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland don't worry they will be running the same thing for you on your Patron Saints Days when they come around.

So what you waiting for? On friday - go celebrate, take a good pic and then send it in to fundraising@honour-our-troops.org.uk

Can't wait to see all your pics!

Sam Gets LOST for HOT

Sam isn't just any student at Loughborough University - he supports Honour Our Troops and in doing so he is going to get LOST for HOT during Loughborough University Student Union's RAG Week.

On the 8th May 2010 our Sam is going to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere in England (about 100 miles away from his Uni) and has to find his way back to Loughborough University with only the clothes on his back!

That's right - NO money, NO supplies, NOTHING to help him except his charm, good looks, wit and intelligence. So no mean feat then..........

Sam is asking everyone to help support him and sees your donations to his JustGiving page as your way of giving him support and getting him back to his HQ!

So come on guys be his support company and pledge your donations here www.JustGiving.com/Sam-Ruddock

Sam is also giving a radio interview to our very own BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) on thursday which will be aired next week. We will keep you all posted so you can listen in.

Sam has already raised £179 so far and his target is £300 so he is over half way there!

Check it out on the HOT Website and keep tracking the HOTBlog to see how he is doing before the event and after he (hopefully) makes it back to HQ!

All the teams at Honour Our Troops wish you the best of luck Sam and we are behind you all the way!

HOT Gains Two More Honourable Patrons

Well, all you Troopers out there Honour Our Troops is delighted to announce that Major General Sir John Swinton KCVO OBE and his lovely wife Lady Judith Swinton have become Honourable Patrons for HOT.

To check it out click on the link Honourable Patrons.

HOT is very honoured to have them as Honourable Patrons along with Lance Corporal Matt Croucher GC.

HOT Midsummers Ball Receives £100 Donation

The Honour Our Troops Midsummers Ball being held on the 26th June has received a surprise donation of £100 from Border Insurance in Kelso!

They wish us all the best with the Ball and are delighted to be supporting Honour Our Troops.

Thank you Border Insurance.

What Troopers!

HOT Wheels 24hr Challenge

Good evening to all our Troopers,

Sorry that we haven't posted on here for a few days, but we have all been hard at work setting up events around the UK.

Talking of which, one that is up and coming is the HOT Wheels 24hr Challenge!!!

If you don't know about this then check it out on our website - just click on the link - HOT Wheels 24hr Challenge

Just to sum it up for you, 12 members of our Armed Forces are cycling from Aldershot to Brighton and back again - yes you read it right - and back again! 120 miles in 24 hours by 12 serving personnel on bicycles for Honour Our Troops!

It's happening on the 20th May (which is a thursday) and finishes back at Aldershot on 21st May (which is the friday) - so take a look at the route and if you are near them then come out and show them your support as they fly by. They are looking for as many people to support them as possible so you can sponsor them as their fundraising is going well. They are doing this in between their normal duties and have all been training hard - so hard in fact that we have difficulty getting hold of them sometimes!

Go on guys and good luck from all of the HOT Core Team that find themselves unable to do it with you!
Don't worry Troopers as we will keep you posted as to their progress. so follow us on this Blog, Twitter, Facebook and our website to keep up to date.

Will blog again soon.
Annemarie HOT Core Team

The Soldiers become Patrons of Honour Our Troops

Just quickly all you Troopers out there.

'The Soldiers' (yes those of singing fame) are now Patrons of Honour Our Troops.

As more news comes in so we will keep you all updated - just thought you would like to know.

Little Trooper

I would just like to let you all know that we have a very active Junior Trooper working for Honour Our Troops.

Mic is 7 years old and although she knows that she cannot attend our HOT Midsummers Ball (as it is over 18's only), she still wanted to help. Mic attends every night we get together as a team to make things for the Ball and is such a great help to our HOT in the Borders Team.

When we asked Mic why she wants to be a part of HOT and help with the Ball she replied "I like getting messy and everyone has fun and it's for our soldiers" (don't forget our sailors and airmen too Mic!). What more can we say???

Mic also has her very own Baxterbear and she can always be seen sporting Baxterbear clip ons on her jacket in support of Honour Our Troops.

Well done Mic and thank you for your help - you really are a little trooper!

Annemarie HOT Core Team

Honourable Patron

We are proud and delighted to announce LCpl Matt Croucher GC has become our Honourable Patron.

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, the first reservist to receive either a Victoria Cross or a George Cross since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan received his George Cross from Her Majesty The Queen, Thursday 30 October 2008.

Lance Corporal Croucher GC has been a big supporter of HOT and of our events across the UK. With his military background he is ideally placed to understand the highs and lows that our forces encounter on a daily basis.

To read more about this HOT Happening go to Honourable Patron Lance Corporal Matt Croucher GC

Matt we would like to welcome you on board with HOT!

Let us introduce ourselves

A big hello to all you followers of Honour Our Troops and welcome to our brand new blog site.

Over the next couple of weeks we will be introducing our HOT Core Team to you, but so as not to overload you, we will introduce them to you one at a time!

So first up is me! My name is Annemarie and I am the Advertising, Marketing and Sponsorship Officer for HOT (no mean feat I can tell you). I am based in the Scottish Borders and deal with not only the varied companies that support us, but also you guys! Yes you are my concern too, in a number of different ways, but we'll get to that in a bit.

I first joined in July 2009 and have been part of the Hot Core Team ever since. Initially starting in the post of Merchandise, my skills in dealing with advertising and marketing were soon pinpointed and I was asked to change hats - which as you can see, I have duly done. Since the change I have been working hard at getting advertising and marketing off the ground.

We have a number of things for the future in the pipeline and rest assured that you will see the fruits of our labour in short order. Not only that, but we will keep you posted on here and on our official website, Twitter and Facebook (that's for all you guys that like to be kept informed).

As most of you know by now, all of our HOT Core Team and our Regional HOT Teams work for HOT on a volunteer basis. From an hour once a month to any and every minute they have to spare, our volunteers collectively put in loads and loads of time and effort to make, not only our main aim, but also our full remit become a reality.

So far we have had a magnificent 507 mile walk, two successful gigs, packing days and numerous local events around the UK that have helped to raise awareness and funds and even show our Service Personnel that we care about them. We have bands that play for us and have even donated their royalties from singles and EP's. Our supporters come from various different backgrounds and support us in many different ways. So what are you good at? You never know, something that you do as just 'par for the course' could be a skill we need, so get in touch and send us an e-mail.

So what's in store for the future?

Well we are holding the HOT Midsummers Ball on 26th June, an event not to be missed. All the details are on our events calendar on our website.

There is also HOT Wheels, which is a group of soldiers cycling from Aldershot to Brighton and back to help raise funds and awareness. Good on them, I say!

We have Colin, who is a former Scots Guard and Falklands Veteran, who will be trekking through the Borders for 45 miles in two days carrying all the kit he did at Tumbledown. And just to assure you all, no he isn't sleeping in a B&B overnight - he's kipping outdoors wherever he can lay his head.

Sam from Loughborough University is getting Lost for HOT in May. How I hear you ask? Go take a look at our website to find out how he is going to get lost in Britain! Pretty neat if you ask me. Sam has also set up his own JustGiving page so please feel free to sponsor him. This is a young guy who wants to do what he can to support our troops, so let's support him. 10 pence or £10, it all adds up and it all helps.

And these are just some of the events confirmed for our calendar. Keep watching as there will be more and if you think of an event you want to hold for us then get in touch. From a Race Night or Curry Night in your local pub to physical challenges, gigs and dances, get involved and have fun!

Talking of fun, that is our main ethos here at HOT. Even hard work is fun!

We support those who are or have served us in the Army, Navy or Airforce. We remember the fallen, support those that care for the injured and do not forget those that serve us so loyally and honourably each and every day. We also help those that have served their time and those that are our future forces. How do we do this? Through the Army Benevolent Fund, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. We have worked in conjunction with other military charities to help them with events and in hosting events. Sometimes no funds are raised, such as the packing days, but as with all that we do everyone has fun and feels they are doing 'their bit' for our troops. And they most certainly are.

So let me leave you for now with a bit of a tease to look forward to. Soon I will be asking all you wonderful supporters of HOT to help us out. Rest assured, it won't cost much, but it will help HOT and so will help our troops. Watch this space!

See you soon. Annemarie

Hot Wheels!!!

On Thursday the 20^th May, 12 members of the Armed Forces will cycle from Aldershot to Brighton returning back in Aldershot, to raise money for Honour Our Troops.

This is a 120 mile round trip challenge, completing in under 24hrs. A 'just giving' page and more details will be available soon on our official site

They will start at 0600hrs and ride non-stop to beat the clock- we hope that the weather is kind to them!

Spreading the word......

Welcome to the Honour Our Troops new blog!
Over the coming weeks and months we hope to give you a more personal insight into
our Team and its fabulous members, the reasons we feel so strongly about our aims
and who we all are. We all give our time freely and collectively have a common goal!


We will share stories of our success, news of interest as it happens and updates on the help and support from our affiliates and partners.

We will also be updating with the events of our beneficiaries such as the various Benevolent trusts.

We welcome feedback and comments and hope that you will follow us here, on our official site and on Twitter too!