Help for heroes is well-deserved - Hughes

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, today met Prime Minister Gordon Brown along with two soldiers from the 251 Signal Squadron, 10th Signal Regiment.

Lance Corporal Bland and Signaller Bignell were on an initiative exercise in London to raise money for the charity 'Help for Heroes'. Help for Heroes aims to raise £8 million by the end of 2008 to build a state-of-the-art gym and pool complex for injured service personnel at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre.

Speaking today from the steps of 10 Downing Street, Simon said:

"Although my involvement in this initiative exercise has come about somewhat by chance, I am happy to help in any way I can to promote charities such as this who work to help those servicemen and women who are underpaid and over-stretched. I am keen to support the provision of the very best equipment and treatment for all the UK's injured servicemen and women."

The soldier's initiative exercise has involved completing a series of challenges in London with no resources, including meeting the Prime Minister, sparring with a famous boxer, cruising down the Thames, ringing the bells at Westminster Abbey and training with a famous athlete.

(ENDS)