Friends found brand new military charity

SHOWING SUPPORT Mark Andrews,Teri Mallinson and Julie Ellam from the new Phoenix Forces Support Group charity which has been set up in Mirfield pictured at the war memorial in Ings Grove Park.

A small group of friends and family from the town has teamed up to launch Phoenix Forces Support to help lesser-known military causes.

And the venture got off to a cracking start with a hugely successful Medieval Ball at the Community of the Resurrection, which is being quickly followed by a Hollywood-themed ball in Bradford.

Administrator Teri Mallinson said: “We only decided to form the charity last October, so it’s all very new. We finally did it and because the medieval ball was such a success we thought we should keep going.”

Those involved are Teri, her husband Wayne, chairman Mark Andrews, his wife Sue Andrews, friend Rachel Moon, British Legion member Julie Ellam and David Cramp.

At first they will support Phoenix House at Catterick, a rehabilitation centre in North Yorkshire for wounded servicemen.

Teri, who visited the centre with Mark and Julie last week, said: “It is brilliant what is being achieved there.”

And it is pure coincidence that the name ‘phoenix’ crops up twice.

“We chose to call our charity Phoenix Forces to depict the rising from the ashes, starting again,” said Teri. “So it’s amazing that it is the same name as the centre.

“It is the nearest rehab centre for this area and we admire the way they help soldiers get back to normal life.

“Many are not ready for civilian life so it is extra hard and they need a lot of support.”

Phoenix Forces will work for other causes too – smallish ones which might not get the publicity or exposure others as such as Help for Heroes do.

Teri said: “Help For Heroes is fantastic but is very well-known. Smaller charities need help too.”

To maximise profits, the group will stay small.

Plans are being made for another medieval ball as well as the Hollywood ball at Bradford Cedar Court on April 27.

“People have been asking us if we are going to do another as it was so popular,” said Teri.

Tickets for the April 27 ball cost £35 from the Oops a Daisy shop in Hudderfield Road and Tax Assist in Queen Street, or by emailing [email protected].

The evening will include a three-course meal, disco, live entertainment, auction, raffle and casino.