Carluke Rotary Club Calls for Heroes

And it's all thanks to the Calls for Heroes initiative launched on September 1 by Carluke Rotary Club.

Rotary members, including Martin Speck, were overwhelmed by an emotional speech from visiting RAF Group Captain Phil Cox last May.

Martin explained: "Phil did a three-year secondment in Afghanistan and we were actually expecting him just to talk about military life.

"Although missions were extremely stressful for soldiers, Phil said the worst thing of all was the lack of telephone contact they get with family and friends.

"It was shocking for the Rotary members to hear that the soldiers got very limited satellite call time.

"And it's for that reason that Rotary members decided to raise funds to allow troops more phone time."

Club members decided to fundraise with the aim of providing as many soldiers as possible with 10 satellite phone cards.

The MOD's existing systems will be used to deliver additional phone time. And Paradigm, the company which provides the system, has agreed to design a "Calls for Heroes" phone card, offering a special discount.

Two Scottish battalions have been identified as the initial beneficiaries, Scots Guards and HQ Coy 5 Scots.

The Calls for Heroes initiative is the first of its kind to be run by a civilian organisation.

Further information is available at www.callsforheroes.org where donations can also be made.

People wishing to donate by cheque should post it to Carluke Rotary secretary Ken Mackie at 14 Kirk Street, Carluke or call 01555 770216.

For more information on the initiative, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.