THIS year's annual street collection for the (ABF The Soldiers Charity) here in Crediton was again a great success, thanks to the generosity of the residents of the town and surrounding area, raising a fantastic total of £1,041.26.

The Soldiers' Charity began as the Army Benevolent Fund in 1944. The demobilisation of soldiers after the two World Wars had put an enormous strain on Regimental and Corps charitable funds and highlighted the need for a national charity to give practical help to our soldiers and veterans. The first patron was His Majesty King George VI.

Today, the conflicts may be different, but the pressures on our soldiers remain. As we are all too aware, the Army is bearing the strain of the current conflicts. Hundreds of soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq with many more injured both mentally and physically.

The charity supports not only serving and former soldiers but also their families from the very young through to the retired and elderly. Increasingly it will be needed by those soldiers whose disabilities as a result of operations come to our attention through their Regiments and Corps.

Most often this will be after they leave the umbrella care of in-service welfare, and in the case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, could be many years hence.

The general fund, which disburses over £5 million every year to supplement and complement a similar amount given out by Regiments and Corps, has been enhanced by the opening of the Current Operations Fund. The Current Operations Fund needs to be built up over the next two or three years to meet the needs of those involved in recent conflicts.

Nationally the charity helps more than 3,000 people every year and need around £7million to do so.

In Devon just over £82,624 was raised in 2009. However, in the same year, it was necessary to disburse over £141,421 locally to those who needed our support.

As well as individuals, the The Soldiers' Charity also helps other charities such as SSAFA (£230,000 - plus another £100,000 to help run the visitor homes at Selly Oak and Headley Court), BLESMA (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association) (£10,000 - helping to mend the limbless), Combat Stress (£280,000 - helping to mend the mind), St Dunstan's (£5,000 - helping with loss of sight) and a host of others.

In addition, the Charity is the strategic reserve for all Regiments and Corps as well as the Army Dependants Trust. It provides the firm base for the entire spectrum of Army benevolence, from cradle to grave, and is the Army's prime and enduring safety net.

ABF The Soldiers' Charity is vitally important to the whole Army community.

A special mention of thanks to the following who helped with the collection: 'A' Company, Army Cadet Force Crediton Detachment, Leader: Sgt Julia Carrington; members of The Coldstream Guards Association, Exeter Branch. Major Clive Rendle, Mrs Averil Hutchens; Mr Brian Trelfall, former Royal Corps of Signals; Mr Rob Walker Morrisons Stores, Mill Street and Mrs Ruth Passmore, Crediton Service Centre, Exeter Road. Thanks to them and all their staff and customers who gave generously to the soldiers' charity.

Special thanks to Ms Sarah Hawkins Proprietor of Wedges Café, who generously ensured that the cadets were fed during the day.

The Coldstream Guards Association, Exeter Branch, is open to all members of the Household Division.

They are currently looking for new members to join the Exeter branch. Meetings are held once a month at the White Ensign Club, South Street, Exeter, on the second Tuesday of each month, except August and December, starting at 7.30pm.

If you would like more information, please contact: Philip Hutchens at Southerly, Alexandra Road, Crediton, telephone 01363 774098.