Morals

[Rich Pullen]

I believe that soldiers do deserve to have such a charity especially if the Government that sends these people off to war are falling short when it comes to helping the injured.

[Jamiesfuturewife]

I have given to HFH before and enjoyed the days they have had at the CG - I just never really "got" it

[Mexicano Rojo]

my objections to HFH is that soldiers volunteered to join up, its as if being injured in war is a shock? dont get it.

[Rich Pullen]

Volunteers aren't entitled to charity? Donations are also voluntary. People choose to go to war and others choose to show their appreciation when they need it.

[Mexicano Rojo]

hmm volunteer maybe wasnt the right choice of word, every soldier chose to join the forces, they werent pressganged into it, surely one of the risks is being blown to bits?

one of the risks in my business is going bust and not being able to pay my staff, my business spreads joy and fun and laughter and has to my knowledge been the meeting place for many still married couples now with children, if i go bust will there be a help for nightclub promoters charity?

[nevillew]

my objections to HFH is that soldiers volunteered to join up, its as if being injured in war is a shock? dont get it.

How would you feel about the RNLI Mex ?  (Lifeboats, for the uninitiated)

[Mexicano Rojo]

i give mney to lifeboats as people volunteer to do that and do not get paid for it (as far as i know)

[Barry Scott]

hmm volunteer maybe wasnt the right choice of word, every soldier chose to join the forces, they werent pressganged into it, surely one of the risks is being blown to bits?

Exactly. They're also not fighting for our country (in my opinion), so I find an uncomfortable paradox in supporting troops fighting a war for Blair/USA. I respect what they do, but unless they signed on expecting to play tummy-sticks until retirement, I would expect they wanted to go to a war zone, which entails risk. I also think it's our government's responsibility, as their employers, to help them, not ours, as a silent and unwilling partner, in some ego's war game.

[Mexicano Rojo]

you said that far more eloquently than me barry, but thats exactly how i feel. My old man has been given shit loads of grief for not contributing at the HFH day at county ground, nearly came to blows.

[sonicyouth]

Exactly. They're also not fighting for our country (in my opinion), so I find an uncomfortable paradox in supporting troops fighting a war for Blair/USA. I respect what they do, but unless they signed on expecting to play tummy-sticks until retirement, I would expect they wanted to go to a war zone, which entails risk. I also think it's our government's responsibility, as their employers, to help them, not ours, as a silent and unwilling partner, in some ego's war game.

Well put.

[Arriba]

hfh is a tough one really.i dont agree with the senseless wars we are in,but i dont think it is fair the measly pay outs the soldiers get after their lives are wrecked by injuries.this grates me especially as i'm always reading about 6 figure pay outs for stress etc,etc for office workers.

[Barry Scott]

this grates me especially as i'm always reading about 6 figure pay outs for stress etc,etc for office workers.

Yes, but that's paid by the employers arriba, not charities. OK, our government likely can't afford to pay £xxx,xxx for injuries in war and if that's the case there's a simple answer: bring them home.

[Simon Pieman]

I think it's unfair, even if you sign up for something, that if you get injured in the line of duty you don't get the support and rehabilitation with it. As others have said that's what the government should be doing.

If I got injured at work my employers would have insurance to cover it. You can't really do that with the forces.

For me it's not about what a brave job our troops do, it's giving them the support they deserve if wounded etc.

That said, people are entitled to refuse to donate to something they don't believe in and shouldn't be hounded for it. Loads of people slag off Comic Relief (as an example). I really don't give much to charities which don't strike a personal chord with me.

[jayohaitchenn]

Since when has a soldier ever decided foreign policy? You'd have to be a complete retard to think us being at war in Iraq or Afganistan is a good idea, that doesn't mean the ordinary people over there risking thier lives don't deserve our support.

Most normal soldiers (not officers) come from the north of England, Scotland and Wales. There are very few that come from a "previleged" background and in most cases joining up to learn a trade is the only option they have.

[Highland Robin]

Very interesting debate.  I am not a supporter of HfH.  I believe that soldiers should be properly recompensed by their employer (the Government) if they are injured in the course of their work, just as I would expect every employer to do the same for their workers.  I can quite understand that there is huge sympathy for some soldiers who sustain horrific injuries which they have to live with for the rest of their lives.  That will prompt some people quite legitimately to give to charities which support them - of which there are actually a large number for the armed forces, not least the Royal British Legion, that has done amazing work for nearly 100 years.
However, I find it more an more difficult to deal with the extra events that are being laid on - 2 mins silence both on Remembrance Sunday and on Armistice Day, Armed Forces day, Help the Heroes parades and more.... This seems to have a different agenda.  It seems to be saying that somehow the armed forces (all of whom are volunteers, and most of whom want to go into active service, even if they don't really realise what that might mean) are different from everyone else.  Death and injury at work is tragic wherever it happens - and like Mex Red, I think lifeboatmen, deep sea fishermen and others like them, have as much if not more call on our respect and our generosity.  When was the last minute's clap or silence for a lost trawler?