A Rhine Support Unit employee has been recognised for his unstinting fundraising efforts on behalf of the Forces Children’s Trust.

The Trust exists to help children whose father or mother has died or been seriously injured while serving with the British Armed Forces, and Mr Norman Watson, a QM Storeman with RSU, in Rheindahlen Camp, has pulled out all the stops to raise money for the charity.

Noman succeeded in collecting 850 Euros by running the Bruggen 10 race and staging a Christmas draw. In recognition of these efforts, Col Bill Warren, COS UKSC and a “Friend of the Trust” visited Norman’s office in person to present him with a Certificate and thank him for all his efforts.

Col Warren said: “I first became aware of the Trust when three of my soldiers were killed on active service and I saw the help the Trust gave. I am delighted to be able to thank Norman for all his efforts in raising money for this very worthy cause.

The Forces Children’s Trust is a very worthwhile charity and I would encourage anyone to contribute in any way they can.” Norman – whose office wall, covered in certificates praising his charity efforts, is testament to the enormous amount he does for charity – said: “It is kind of Colonel Warren to go out of his way to thank me. I have tried to raise money for kids and for SSAFA in various ways and I find it very rewarding.”

 The Forces Children’s Trust, whose Patron is Falklands veteran Simon Weston OBE, was founded in 2004 by Denny Wise in an effort to fill a gap in the charitable field of family care. The Trust, working in partnership with families, Charity and Services Associations, provides help and support to children and their families.

It regularly organises educational and social events when children can meet and interact with others who are in a similar situation. Rarely awarding monetary sums to children or families, the Trust instead provides support through educational and social events. Examples include weekends away and theatre trips – a prime example being meeting the cast of ‘Mary Poppins’ in London which was a superb outing.