Fund to aid UK casualties

Fund to aid UK casualties

UK troops have been injured

A relief fund has been established to help soldiers injured while fighting in the war in Iraq.

The UK Forces Gulf Fund will also provide short-term assistance to the relatives of servicemen and women who are killed in the conflict, the Ministry of Defence said.

It is likely that the money - raised through public donations - will be used to help bereaved relatives or injured troops in the weeks before their pension payments start.

The fund could also help to pay for injured soldiers to receive the latest medical equipment such as hearing aids.

However, it will not be used to fund claims for compensation as there are already schemes in place to deal with this.

Civilian personnel accompanying the armed forces on Operation Telic - the name for UK military operations against Saddam's regime in Iraq - will also be eligible for help.

A similar fund set up during the 1991 Gulf War raised £3 million through public donations, and a Falklands War fund raised £17 million.

Endorsed by the MoD, the fund is being run by the United Services Trustee and the Charities Aid Foundation.

The public can make donations by debit or credit card on the fund's website - www.UKForcesGulfFund.org - or by telephone on 0800 107 0200.