Charity raises £600,000 in memory of Walsall soldier

A charity set up in memory of a Black Country soldier and his colleagues killed in Afghanistan has raised £600,000 in its first year.

Afghan Heroes was launched on September 15 last year by a band of bereaved mothers including Jane Whitehouse, the mother of 27-year-old Corporal Jonathan Horne from Delves in Walsall.

Mrs Whitehouse and the other mothers have been tirelessly fundraising across the country over the last year.

And they now hope to break the £1 million mark in the charity's second year.

A ball to mark the first anniversary is being held at Cadbury House in Bristol on October 1, with 250 guests.

Mrs Whitehouse said: "It has been non-stop since we launched the charity but all of the mothers are there for one another. It has been a very emotional year. We're so grateful to all those who have helped raise the money and awareness of the charity."

Her son, Cpl Jonathan Horne died after an explosion in Helmand province on July 10 last year. The married father-of-two had been carrying an injured comrade.

Another mother involved in the charity is Jillian Murphy, from Birmingham, whose son rifleman Joseph Murphy, aged 18, was also killed.

Billed as "a mother's legacy", Afghan Heroes provides a network for parents and siblings. As well as the cash raised, the charity has also sent out 10,000 boxes full of home comforts like sweets and shower gel to service men and women.

Over the 12 months fundraising events have been held throughout Walsall for the charity including fundraisers at The Saddlers Club and Walsall Arboretum.

The mothers were presented with a military award in London in December by Prince Harry who paid tribute to the "immense courage" of the group.

Cpl Horne's widow Rachel was joined by their four-month-old daughter Jessica, Cpl Horne's oldest daughter Frankie-Jane, nine, and his nephew Joshua Horne to receive the first ever posthumous Express & Star Local Hero Award last year.

Hundreds gave Cpl Horne a hero's send-off last year at St Gabriel's Church, Delves, where he married Rachel three years ago. His name has been added to a plaque at Walsall Town Hall and the Armed Forces Memorial at National Arboretum.

By Ben Lammas