Prompted by reading of a similar scheme operating in Mallorca, Don Hyatt and Anne Maddison decided to start Rest & Recover Menorca, a project designed to offer short breaks on the island to soldiers from the Household Cavalry who have served in Afghanistan and who the regiment consider are in need of rest and recuperation.
Each group will consist of four soldiers and their wife/partner/carer and the first visitors are due at the end of April or beginning of May, with another set arriving in late September or early October.
Don and Anne have set their targets high and are determined that "the soldiers will be here as guests and not have to pay for anything". They are relying heavily on local generosity and their confidence seems to be well-placed. The air fares for the first group have already been paid by one anonymous donor, accommodation has been offered by another and the local branch of the Royal British Legion is contributing to meals and excursions.
The transport problem has been solved by Menocars and Autos Amigos who are to provide cars and Gabriel Carreras (President of Club Vidalba) who has offered specialised transport for any soldiers with mobility problems. There have even been offers of volunteer drivers, if needed.
The Men's and Ladies' Probus Clubs will be responsible for putting together 'Welcome Food Packs' to greet the men on their arrival and these promise to be the de luxe version with 'goodies' such as homemade cakes or cottage pie.
Another welcoming present for each soldier will be a hand-crafted box made from chocolate and containing chocolates, a gift from Simon Dunn from "The Chocolatier" in Sant Lluís.
Connections
Although Don will be known to many residents as the Chairman of the Menorcan branch of the Royal British Legion and through his connection with SSAFA and Anne for her work with the Cruz Roja, they stress that this is a private charitable venture in which they are being helped by Brenda Hyatt, with her adminstration and travel skills, plus Phil Lomas and Jan Henman.
Don's connections with his former regiment made the Household Cavalry the obvious choice for the scheme. The senior regiment in the British army, the Household Cavalry is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year and is currently serving its third tour of duty in Afghanistan.
FundRaising
Phil Lomas explained that they are trying to think of new ways of raising funds rather than just asking people or companies for donations, so that people who can not help financially can put in their time or services.
Some bars have come up with different ways of bringing in money, such as the Nelson in Son Vitamina which has raised nearly 300 euros through running bingo and bonus ball.
The Aloha in Cala en Porter held its second darts tournament on Saturday which was as much a social event as a darts competition and was attended by families and many onlookers. The entrance fee from the players, profit from the food cooked by Ca'n Bernat and money raised from the raffle and football sweepstake totalled 622 euros which was added to the 108 euros raised by the Aloha on New Year's Eve. A good result for "a lot of effort put in by a lot of people".
Contacts
Anyone with ideas for raising money or any bars willing to host a fundraising event should contact Phil Lomas on 639 565 940 or phillomas@live.co.uk.
Offers of free accommodation for future groups, sponsors for meals, or volunteers willing to give their time to help, etc. would be welcomed by Don Hyatt on 971 375 586 or 627 308 771 or Anne Maddison on 971 151 909.
In Phil's words "it's a way of showing appreciation for the work done by soldiers".
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