Life with the 99th Garrison

The 99th supports Help For Heroes at Meadowhall - Saturday, 10th November, 2012

The 99th was asked to support the annual collection for Help For Heroes at Meadowhall in Sheffield. This must be the third  time that we have done so... I lose track!! 

We were due to be out in costume from about 10:30 until 4:00 pm. On this trip I agreed to give a lift to Darran who was to be Lord Vader for the day so picked him up and then headed off to Sheffield getting there for about 9:15.

On arrival at Meadowhall we headed for the Management Suite where we were to have our changing room\base for the day.  The rest of the crew were already there, including Kevin from Help for Heroes, Craig, Jim, Wayne, and two new troopers, Dave and Alan.  Its always good to meet new troopers and help them on their inaugural troop!!   ....   Listening to them describe how they are actually smiling for photos behind their helmets!! Alan did an excellent job too on his troop as photographer and crew. ... Thank you!

We were only able to do a maximum of an hour at a time before we had to take a break to cool off.  When we were trooping and not cooling off we were in constant demand and I know from my time spent stood with Lord Vader [with collection bucket] it was a non stop stream of people wanting their photos with us. They were basically queuing and waiting for their turn and included the usual children who were really keen, those who were not too sure and those who positively did not want their photo taken through total fear but mum and dad insisted!!

We had a break for lunch and when we got back, one of the Help For Heroes volunteers told me that the guys and gals from TGI Fridays had been down to see us and on finding that we weren't there had asked that we go to their place to see them.  We dutifully obliged and went off to TGI's where we cajoled some money out of their guests and staff and I was asked [as the only Biker Scout there on the day] to sit on their Harley Davidson for photos... which of course.... if did!

We finished trooping at about 4:15 when we really were fit to drop and then di-kitted before going back to TGI's for a post troop and much needed drink and then heading off home.... but not before Kevin told us that the 99th had collected £563.61 on the day.. WOW!!!! thank you!!!!

A huge thanks to Craig, Jim, Darran, Wayne, Dave and Alan and to Kevin for inviting us... see you next year!!!!