A FUND to support bomb disposal experts when they return from the war zone in Afghanistan has raised £500,000 in one year.

Now supporters of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, which has its headquarters at Didcot’s Vauxhall Barracks, are being urged to raise the same amount again for Felix Fund. Once fundraisers reach the £1m mark, they will have achieved the original target set last year.

Funding raised during the past year is helping to pay for therapeutic normalisation breaks for soldiers immediately after they return from war.

Soldiers are also sent on adventure training courses featuring rock climbing, mountain biking and canoeing.

Capt Jayne Reynolds, adjutant at the base in Foxhall Road, said troops were delighted that £500,000 had been raised in a year.

She added: “The support of the local community is so important to us and we have been amazed by the generosity of the public, including the Royal British Legion.”

Felix Fund assistant fundraiser Allison Collier said: “We are very pleased that we have raised so much money in one year and hope to do the same again.”

  • For further details and to make a donation, visit felixfund.org.uk