By Bejay Browne
AN urgent appeal for properties to house wounded service men and women and their families for holidays has been made by a Paphos based non-profit organisation.
MARCH (Military And Retired Cyprus Holidays for Heroes) was set up in 2010 and operates holidays for injured or traumatised military serving or non-serving personnel. The service has become so popular that they are in urgent need of properties for July, August and September to meet the demand this year.
Set up by Alan Wilson and wife Barbara, MARCH has already welcomed well over 100 servicemen and women and their families and carers to the island for holidays.
“We aim to give the wounded from all conflicts, past and present, the opportunity to have a holiday here in Paphos. This is made possible by the generous people who give their homes for a few weeks of the year for the use of the armed forces,” Wilson told the Sunday Mail.
“Due to the number of injured wanting to holiday with MARCH this year, we are desperate for villas and apartments. If there are any caring people who would like to donate their properties for one or two weeks, please get in touch.”
One such soldier waiting for a property for August is David Birrell, a double amputee, who Wilson describes as an inspiration.
“He came to Paphos last year on holiday and is coming again this year with his family. After leaving Cyprus last year, he attained a Guinness world record for jumping vehicles in his car. He holds a racing licence and races in the UK and he is an inspiring young man.”
Wilson said that the soldier, then a corporal, stood on an improvised explosive device whilst serving in the Black Watch in Afghanistan on Taliban patrol in Helmand five or so years ago, which resulted in him losing both of his legs.
“He is so strong willed and can operate a regular car and loves racing. He’s married with two children and is a great bloke.”
Birrell was among those who met with Britain’s Prince Harry at the Invictus games – an International sporting event for “wounded warriors” – held last year in the UK.
MARCH has catered for all types of injuries including:tetraplegics, paraplegics, the blind and amputees of all descriptions, and also those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“We also have a wide variety of equipment available for use by the disabled which is supplied to them free when and where it’s needed. We also meet all of the needs of their young children, such as car seats and so on.”
Wilson has paid for much of the equipment out of his own pocket and also gets the bulk of donations from a remembrance service which he organises in Peyia in Paphos each year. The Polis charitable foundation and the Anglican church have also made donations in the past.
If needed, Wilson will collect the wounded personnel from the airport in the MARCH minibus which is fitted with a chair lift, and he is also available to drive them around during their holiday if required.
He said that there is currently a queue of a dozen or so needing a holiday and that MARCH is desperate for properties for the months of July, August and September.
Wilson explained that properties are usually required for either one or two weeks at a time and that property owners will not be left out of pocket.
“The organisation will undertake and pay for cleaning the property before and after the stay, washing and drying all of the laundry and we also pay the bills for the utilities used.“
As well as a surge in popularity and an increase in demand for Paphos holidays, MARCH has also lost the use of a number of properties due to homeowners returning to the UK as well as a couple of deaths. They now currently only have 23 properties on their books.
“These personnel gave a lot and we need to give a little back, so please help if you can. I would also like to thank all of the wonderful people who have already donated their homes.”
For further information or to donate your property to MARCH (00357)99850355.
