Tony Byrne requested a page on the web site for the SDWS Parcels Appeal because there are some "Service Charity" scams doing the rounds. He felt that a link to the web site, along with his offer to present audited accounts, would help reassure potential donors who get a letter from a stranger asking for a thousand quid.
Below is a copy of Tony's letter to potential donors:
The Singapore Dawn Watchers Parcels Appeal
For those of you who have not met us, The Singapore Dawn Watchers are disreputable Zimmer-jockeys who soldiered in the Intelligence Corps in the Far East in the 1960s and ’70s . Our funerals come round more often than our reunions. We are proof that if growing old is compulsory, growing up is not.
Thanks to kind benefactors we send gift parcels to our young successors who are in action in Afghanistan. We welcome donations towards parcels, however large or small, from organisations and individuals, and are happy to furnish benefactors with our audited accounts.
Soldiers of the Intelligence Corps continue to serve in some of the most dangerous and unreported jobs in the army. The loss of those killed in action (more women than men in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq) is felt all the more in such a small corps.
We send goodies that are useful, readable, edible, wearable and daft. Anything we can get into Royal Mail’s free allowance of two kilos. The letters we receive from soldiers remind us that just getting a parcel in a hazardous and uncomfortable setting is as important as its contents.
A donation can be by cheque (our preferred method) to the Singapore Dawn Watchers Parcels Appeal. If it is better for the donor, a Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) voucher to the Intelligence Corps Charity (charity no. 248447) can be channelled to us, but that takes longer to turn into parcels.
We always tell our soldiers of the generosity of individual donors, and they will appreciate your help enormously.
To make a donation or for further information please contact our fundraiser:
Tony Byrne
15 Earl Close, Dorchester DT1 1DY
Telephone 01305 257745 email tonybyrne53@yahoo.com
SDWS Web Site: http://www.sdws.org.uk/notices/parcels-appeal-2012.html