USA/UK Bomb Disposal Charities Gala

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) October 09, 2015

In the heat of World War II and during the blitzkrieg on London, German airplanes dropped bombs that often did not explode. A very brave group of men were formed to disarm these bombs and protect the people and property of the United Kingdom. As Winston Churchill noted in 1941, "The rapid disposal of unexploded bombs is of the highest importance. The work of the Bomb Disposal Squads must be facilitated by the provision of every kind of up-to-date equipment."

After many hard lessons learned in blood, British Bomb Disposal experts hosted American officers to teach them the trade of both bomb and underwater sea mine disposal. This relationship has prospered over the past 70 years, and today remains as strong as ever. This cooperation is critical because bomb disposal – now known as EOD - is widely regarded as the most dangerous job in the military. The EOD profession was also highlighted in the Award Winning Film "The Hurt Locker".

In the wake of the attacks on 11 September 2001, British and American bomb disposal forces have fought side by side in Iraq and Afghanistan, disarming countless improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other ordnance with courage and valour. Their service however, has not come without a price; many members of this community, along with their families, are battling the physical and emotional wounds of war.

As part of our effort to raise awareness and funds for these remarkable men and women, and in recognition of 70 years of partnership, the US and UK bomb disposal charities are proud to announce a joint event on 19 April 2016. This event – hosted by the United States' EOD Warrior Foundation and Britain's Felix Fund – will raise funds for the two non-profit organizations chartered to support the EOD community.

The event will be held at Gibson Hall in London, England and will coincide with the Counter Terror Expo 2016 at Olympia, which draws in over 9,000 people across two days from within the EOD community.

This charitable endeavor is long overdue, said Ken Falke, Founder and Chairman of EOD Warrior Foundation, "The men and women of today's EOD communities have worked shoulder to shoulder and nonstop for over 14 years and it is time that we recognize these sacrifices publicly and share the great work of these two organizations."

Karl Frankland, Chairman of Felix Fund added "With troops back from Afghanistan it is even more important that we continue to raise awareness of the work of both charities and indeed much needed funds. The support we offer can be needed more when the guys and girls are not on operational tours."

About the Felix Fund

The aim of Felix Fund is to help personnel from any military or police unit who have been involved with EOD duties. We provide welfare support and financial assistance to any cap badge / unit or regiment as long as they have been involved with bomb disposal. http://www.felixfund.org.uk

About the EOD Warrior Foundation

The EOD Warrior Foundation serves the US EOD community by providing financial assistance and support to active-duty and veteran wounded, injured or ill EOD warriors, families of our wounded and fallen and by maintaining the EOD Memorial at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. http://www.eodwarriorfoundation.org

EODWF Facts

   •  In 2014 the EOD Warrior Foundation spent over $800,000 on new and existing programs, with over $425,000 in direct support of EOD families in need.
   •  This year we allocated over $170,000 in scholarships, and enabled over 100 wounded warriors and their loved ones to attend therapeutic healing retreats.
   •  There are over 7,000 brave men and women serving as US Military EOD technicians, across all four branches of service, who willingly put themselves in harms ways to protect the lives and property of others.
   •  Their service includes support to the most complex special operations missions. Felix Facts
   •  Felix, the cat with nine lives, is the mascot of Royal Logistics Corps Bomb Disposal;
   •  In Afghanistan, EOD teams disarmed approximately 40 lethal explosive devices a day;
   •  In the UK, 11 EOD regiment completes 3,000 bomb disposal tasks a year;
   •  'Felix' started life as the radio call sign of an EOD team in Northern Ireland.

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/10/prweb13012479.htm

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