The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine has been honoured at the Pride of Birmingham Awards for its vital leading role in the care and rehabilitation of British servicemen and women wounded on the frontline.
The Centre was presented with a Judges’ Special Award alongside Help For Heroes, the charity which also has its roots in the city.
The RCDM, which is based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, is a world-leading trauma centre. All British casualties evacuated from the frontline in Afghanistan and Iraq were airlifted there, and up to 700 members of the armed services are admitted every year.
The RCDM saved the lives of the most seriously wounded casualties who would have died without their expertise, dedication and care.
Pride of Birmingham, in partnership with TSB, honours unsung heroes of all ages and from all walks of life, who do extraordinary things to help others.
The judges felt that the RCDM deserved recognition for the incredible efforts of all its staff, especially during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They said: “We owe all of our servicemen and women a huge debt, and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine has been instrumental in giving them the world-leading care they deserve.”
Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes has also been honoured at the Pride of Birmingham Awards for its vital leading role in the care and rehabilitation of British servicemen and women.
The charity received a Judges’ Special Award alongside the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, the world-leading trauma centre based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which treats our troops wounded in action.
Bryn and Emma Parry launched Help for Heroes 10 years ago after visiting soldiers being treated at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.
“The only word I could use is devastating – we had never met people as badly wounded,” said Bryn, who served for 10 years in the Royal Green Jackets.
Help for Heroes now works nationally to help veterans cope with the physical and mental effects of serving their country, and has raised more than £230million to date.
Its work includes a £1.5million grant and £500,000 in running costs for Fisher House in Birmingham, a purpose-built facility for sick and wounded soldiers.
The judges said: “The impact of Help for Heroes has been absolutely extraordinary. This award recognises Bryn and Emma’s vision, and the ongoing hard work and selfless dedication of everyone involved with the charity.”
The award was presented at a star-studded dinner hosted by TV presenter and campaigner Katie Piper, and attended by some of the region’s biggest stars.
