Page 157 - Chronicle Vol 17

Bryn and Emma with the Help for Heroes logo and banner
“Help for Heroes (H4H) will be fully operational by September 2007. Our per- sonal goal is to meet an initial target of £3 million. This will be used to provide the specialist swimming pool at the Defence Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, Surrey which General Sir Richard Dannatt (Professional head of the British Army) says is so urgently required. Naturally, our great hope is that others will raise or donate urgently needed cash far in excess of this amount.”
It is highly unlikely that the co-founders could have imagined what a tidal wave of good will they had unleashed. They hit a nerve of compassion in the nation and harnessed it through Help for Heroes.
The co-founders’ energy and creativity were astounding. One of the many fun- draising endeavours they established was the signature ‘Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Ride’, which continues to this day.
Those who knew and worked with Bryn saw at his core an incredibly kind, ear- nest, and passionate soul, whose energy was contagious. In tricky moments or after a setback he was never daunted. Bryn didn’t shrink from difficult conversa- tions. He was prepared, as he put it, ‘to be a pain in the arse’ if it meant defeating bureaucracy so that a wounded, sick or injured Hero wouldn’t have to wait for the care they needed.
Hearing Bryn quote his favourite phrase ‘onwards and upwards’ was all it took to stir those around him too. Supported, encouraged and advised by Emma, he was unstinting in his total, unwavering commitment to making the lot of the wounded servicemen and women as good as it could be.
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