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Helping the Heroes

Mosslands student, Josh Adams, helps raise thousands for soldiers' charity in memory of his cousin killed in Afghanistan

Article from the Wirral Globe

Helping the heroesMosslands student helps raise thousands for soldiers' charity in memory of cousin killed in Afghanistan

A SIXTH Form student from Liscard has helped raise £3,000 for an Armed Forces charity in memory of his soldier cousin, who died while serving in Afghanistan.

Josh Adams, aged 17, organised a non-uniform day at The Mosslands School, which raised money for Help for Heroes.

His cousin, 20-year-old Private Dougie Halliday, was killed when a vehicle he was travelling in overturned into the Nahr-e Bughra canal in June.

Pte Halliday, from Wallasey, died alongside three colleagues, including his friend Private Alex Isaac, aged 20, who was also from Wirral.

Josh, from Liscard, said he wanted the event to raise both money and awareness of H4H, which helps members of the Armed Forces who have being wounded in service.

He added: "I was close to Dougie when we younger but we hadn't spoken too much until recently,” he said.

"About a month or two before he died though, we started talking a lot on social networks like Facebook while he was in Afghanistan. You just never think something bad like this will happen to someone close to you.

"Like my whole family I am very proud of Dougie and the service he gave to his country. I'm also proud of his colleagues who died alongside Dougie, and all the Armed Forces who are serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere."

The Mosslands School headteacher, Mark Rodaway, said the school was very supportive of the fundraising event.

"This was a tragic incident and it has clearly touched our students, who are all looking forward to supporting Josh’s fundraising event," he said.

"As a school we recognise our social responsibility to support charities, both locally and nationally, and we were more than happy to give our backing to the non-uniform day."

Josh added: "It's important for me to raise awareness for Help for Heroes as well as money, because if you don't have anyone close to you serving in the military you might not understand just how important the charity is.

"They do a fantastic job and for me this is really the start of the fundraising.

"I have already done a 15-mile walk from Seacombe ferry terminal to Thurstaston with New Brighton Rugby Club, where I play, and I want to do a lot more for Help for Heroes in the future."

Josh organised a non-uniform day for his fellow sixth formers, who were asked to donate £1 each on the day. He and friends also went around the school with collection tins and sold wristbands.

Josh added: "My school and the teachers have been very supportive and told me that they really wanted this to happen. I'm very thankful for their support."

All the money raised by Help For Heroes is given back to charities such as the H4H Rehab Complex at Headley Court, the Not Forgotten Association and St Dunstan’s, which supports blind and visually impaired ex-service men and women.

Since it was launched in October 2007, the organisation has raised £70million for these charities.