QUEEN'S GUARDS 'BEG' ON STREETS 
Soldiers are forced to collect money to help pay for funerals
By Nick Fagge EXCLUSIVEBRITISH soldiers are being forced to beg for cash from Christmas shoppers to help pay for the funerals of fallen comrades.
The sight of men of the Queen’s Coldstream Guards standing in shopping centres asking for money was last night branded a disgrace.
Critics hit out at the Government for forcing the heroes on to the streets with collection tins because they believe the families of those killed or injured are not being fully supported.
Conservative MP Patrick Mercer, a former Army officer, said: “The fact that this Government has turned its fighting men into beggars is a national disgrace.
"All our soldiers’ needs and the needs of their families should be taken care of by a Government that is proud of its fighting men.
"We should not have to put our hands in our pockets to help pay for the cost of a funeral or for a mother to visit her injured son in hospital.
“These Coldstreamers should not be out with the begging bowl on the Sunday before Christmas. The Government should be paying these costs.”
Tory MP Philip Davies said: “It’s utterly shameful that our soldiers are forced to beg for the most basic welfare provisions after risking their lives in Afghanistan. We should hang our heads in shame.”
The outrage emerged after troops from the Coldstream Guards were seen taking up positions in full battle dress over the weekend to ask the public for donations.
The soldiers were seeking money to help families pay for funerals, to allow relatives to make
hospital visits to see the injured and to convert houses for disabled servicemen.
The appeal, Support The Coldstream Guards in Afghanistan, is one of many charities set up to try to help alleviate the financial burden on servicemen’s families.
But last night there was anger that Britain’s heroes are being forced to beg for support that should be provided by the Government.
The Coldstream Guards, famous for their role in guarding the Queen in their distinctive red tunics, black bearskins and Garter Star, are one of a growing number of regiments which have taken to appealing directly to the public for financial help.
The regiment, whose motto is “Second To None”, launched the campaign to coincide with
their tour of duty in Afghanistan, which ends in April 2010.
Their website says the appeal has four basic aims: to assist the families of those killed in action and help with funeral costs beyond what support the Army provides; to support those injured with costs incurred to make alterations to houses; to support families of those currently deployed; and to provide support to soldiers returning from operations.
Donors are urged to spend a minimum of £2 on a red and white wristband.
Yesterday shoppers outside the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, west London, were putting £5 and £10 notes in the soldiers’ collection bucket.
And on Saturday donations poured in to collectors in Sloane Square, Chelsea. So far the fund has raised £41,000.
Some people, however, were aghast that they had been asked for a donation to help pay for a hero’s funeral.
The mother of a British soldier recently returned from Afghanistan told the Daily Express: “Funerals should not be paid for out of charity. That is wrong.”
Last night the Ministry of Defence said it provided “robust” support to the families of soldiers killed or injured.
An MoD spokeswoman said: “The MoD places a very high priority on the welfare of its service personnel and their families.
“To that end, the MoD has robust procedures in place to support immediate family members of service personnel who are killed or injured while on operations, including help with funeral costs and travel expenses.
"There is always more that can be done, however, and we welcome all offers of charitable support for our personnel.”
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/147268/Queen%27s-guards-%27beg%27-on-streets/
Subject: QUEEN'S GUARDS 'BEG' ON STREETS 
