Tern Hill Link of Love to aid Help for Heroes

Families of Shropshire-based soldiers plan to form a near four-mile human chain dubbed the "Link of Love" to give their nearest and dearest serving on the front line a massive morale boost.

Army wife Tara Bradshaw, of Market Drayton, wants people from Shropshire and further afield to link arms and form a chain from the town's Royal British Legion club to the gates of Clive Barracks in Tern Hill.

About 5,000 people are needed to link arms in Market Drayton on December 5 at 2pm to show their support for 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, which is based at the barracks.

Mrs Bradshaw also hopes those taking part will each pay £1 in a bid to raise £5,000 for The Army Benevolent Fund, Midlands Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes.

She said the event would also include a minute's silence as a mark of respect for fallen troops.

Currently more than 120 soldiers from the regiment, including Mrs Bradshaw's husband Davy, 41, are on tour in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Mum of three Mrs Bradshaw, 43, said: "I came up with the idea during one of the anxiety ridden sleepless nights endured by thousands of people who have loved ones serving in war zones.

"This ultimately is a morale boosting exercise to show our troops in Afghanistan that they are all foremost in our hearts and minds."

Mrs Bradshaw's sons Ryan, 23, and Gary, 21, are also both British soldiers.

For details or to join in, call Mrs Bradshaw on (01630) 638221.