Army pen-pal organising Help For Heroes event in Newbury

Thatcham woman Holly Cannon-Taylor is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the charity

AN army pen-pal whose brother is training to join the cavalry hopes to raise thousands of pounds for Help For Heroes by organising a black tie event in Newbury.

Holly Cannon-Taylor of Arrow Smith Way, Thatcham, became a pen-pal to those serving in Afghanistan through the Soldier Magazine.

The 24-year-old, who has already organised two charity events for NSPCC in 2008 and Prostate Cancer last year, raising a total of £3,200, is now planning a black tie event for Help For Heroes.

The charity is close to the former Park House student's heart because her brother, Adam Cannon, aged 29, is currently training in Windsor to join the Household Cavalry.

She said: “I've had a lot of people asking me to organise an event for Help For Heroes and it made sense because I'm a pen-pal to soldiers and my brother is training to join the Household Cavalry.

“I write to about three soldiers now. They talk about the outside world. They like to know what's going on because they don't have the internet so they are a bit closed off.

“I have learnt a lot more about all the hard work the forces do and risking their lives everyday. The soldiers do an amazing job and deserve respect and that's why I wanted to make it a black tie event.”

The evening will consist of a three course meal, live music by Fat Chance, comedy by Kate Lucas, magic from Richard Young and a silent auction and raffle, which will include tickets to Newbury Racecourse, a break at Warner Leisure Hotels and vouchers for Cafe Nero.

The event, which is black tie or uniform for those in the armed forces, will be held at the Newbury Manor Hotel, London Road, on September 16 from 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from the Newbury Manor Hotel, Expert Footcare at Burdwood Surgery, Thatcham, or by emailing Miss Cannon-Taylor at hollycannontaylor86@gmail.com