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