Forces Children's Trust launched | For immediate release | June 2004
Launch of new charity for children of British forces killed in conflict.

On the 23rd August 2003 a unit of the Royal Military Police was ambushed in Basra, Iraq, whilst travelling in an un-armoured civilian vehicle. The only survivor of the tragedy was Corporal Richard Lay. Killed in action were Major Matthew Titchener, Dewi Pritchard and Colin Wall of the RMP.

Matthew was 32 years of age and leaves behind his wife Raquel, his 2½-year-old son Matheson and a newborn baby daughter. Born on the 4th of January 2004, Angel Titchener has been denied the chance to meet her father.

Colin, 34, leaves behind his wife and 3 children. Dewi, 35, leaves behind his wife and two children.

The aim of the new charity, The Forces Children's Trust, is to assist dependent children who are in need, whose mother or father has died whilst serving as a member of the forces.

Denny Wise, the founder of the trust in memory of Major Titchener, said: "To help a child is an honour, particularly those whose parents have died in such tragic circumstances whilst serving as a member of the British forces".

The charity will be officially launched at an event on January 23rd at Covent Garden, where The Midnite Youth Theatre Company of Western Australia will perform, in the presence of its patrons The Provost Marshal (Army) Colonel J.H. Baber M.B.E., Simon Weston, O.B.E., John Virgo, Roger de Courcey, Tony Hadley and Rick Wakeman.

Tickets for the launch are available from Denny Wise at the Forces Children's Trust on 01737 - 361077 and donations can be made on the same number.

Forces Children's Trust Trustees: Mrs. Valerie Titchener, Matthew's mother and Mr. Lennie Harper, Matthew's father-in-law have agreed to be trustees.

The other trustees are: Mr. Peter Elliot, Mr. Paul Ganjou, Mrs. Eunice Paxman - M.B.E., Mr. John Perrin, Mr. Bernard Watson, Mr. Paul Wood.

Chairman: Mr. Denny Wise
Treasurer: Mrs. Jane Titchener

Note to editors:
Available for interview:
Denny Wise at the Forces Children's Trust press office: 01737 - 361077 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Family members may be available but please contact the Forces Children's Trust press office.

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