Charity fundraiser is thankful for support

Fleet businessman Harold Payne has heaped praise and gratitude upon the many supporters who have backed his cause over the past 25 years.
Mr Payne has raised close to £750,000 towards helping veterans make annual trips to the battlefields and war cemeteries in France and Belgium.
And, after organising the 25th annual trip this year, he insisted none of it would have been possible without the support of the South Holland community.
He said: “I’m thankful for all the support over the years because, without it, we wouldn’t have been able to run the trips.
“I have met some wonderful people over the years and the stories I’ve been told still amaze me.
“People probably do not realise what we have done. We have achieved something no other charity I know of has ever done.”
Mr Payne’s fundraising for the Help Our Local Heroes and Veterans Fund – originally known as the Anglia Motel Pilgrimage Fund – started during a chance meeting with a war veteran who came into his business.
He explained: “We just got talking about going back to the battlefields of Normandy, Belgium and France.
“I started the charity to help raise some funds towards it and it’s just gone on from there.
“I’ve been honoured to do it and have so many special memories from the trips. It’s been a privilege to do that for people.
“But, without the support of the kind-hearted people of South Holland, it wouldn’t have been possible.
“The customers of Morrisons in Pinchbeck and Stamford have been brilliant by donating to our collections.
“I’d just like to thank everyone for all their support over the past 25 years.”