You can support Prince Harry and WWTW

Virgin Money is the main sponsor of the South Pole Allied Challenge 2013, which is the third expedition staged by Walking With The Wounded to raise awareness and vital funds for the re-training of wounded servicemen and women, and to assist them in finding new careers outside the military. The challenge is underway and this week sees the bank launch a campaign in its Exeter Store to help customers and members of the public to get involved and support this important charity. The Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge is set to be the biggest expedition of its kind, with three teams racing over a gruelling 275km to the South Pole. Team Glenfiddich (UK), Team Soldier On (Commonwealth) and Team Noom Coach (US) are the three teams, all including wounded servicemen and women. The team mentors and guides are Prince Harry for Team Glenfiddich, The Wire actor Dominic West for Team Soldier On and True Blood actor Alexander Skarsgård for Team Noom Coach. More than £60,000 has already been raised through Virgin Money giving, but more can always be done. The people of Exeter can help this great cause by purchasing a special WWTW teddy bear, a wristband or by sponsoring the Virgin Money staff who are taking part in the challenge. Staff at the Exeter Store are arranging a winter themed, fancy dress three-legged walk, to take place on 18 December. Members of the public are invited to take part at £5 per team, with all the money raised going to Walking With The Wounded. The walk will start and finish at Princesshay Square in Exeter. Customers and visitors can also sponsor a kilometre of the Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge for just £2 and add a sticker to a totaliser to encourage further donations. Alternatively, WWTW teddies are £10 each, or £12 if bought via the WWTW online shop,with all profits going to the charity. As Virgin Money’s not-for-profit website Virgin Money Giving (VMG) is also the charity’s official fundraising partner, people can also support the teams via a special VMG fundraising hub at virginmoneygiving.com/southpole2013, where they can donate, or better still, set up their own VMG fundraising page and take part in a walking challenge of their own. Paul Lloyd, Marketing Director at Virgin Money said: “We are delighted that Virgin Money Giving is the official fundraising partner for Walking With The Wounded and we hope our involvement will generate a significant boost in funds for this great charity. To have raised more than £52,000 before the race even started was really encouraging, and long may it continue." “What these teams are doing is truly inspirational, so anyone who wants to get involved and support their efforts should visit our South Pole Challenge hub at Virgin Money Giving. It contains lots of ideas of how to get involved and help raise even more money. Simple ideas like organising a sponsored walk whilst the teams undertake their trek can be effective fundraisers as well as good fun.”