In late 2004 Laura Reid was watching a news story about US Soldiers in Iraq who had recently passed away. They have showed the faces of these wonderful men and women. She was overwhelmed with grief an
d deeply affected by the tremendous sacrifice of the troops and their families are making for all of us. It was in that moment she wanted to give something to them. Her idea was a small heart, something the soldiers could put in their pockets as a small reminder that they are loved, appreciated and to thank them so much for their service to their country. Knowing she wasn't the only one who felt like this her idea grew as a project idea that she presented to a small group of Polymer Clay Artists friends online.
The group rallied around the idea as a project dear to their own hearts. One of the group had a relative in Camp Lejeune, NC and hooked them up with a source to mail hearts too. These hearts went out to those about to be deployed. There and then the project took flight and got picked up by Soldiers' Angels Europe in 2007 to spread the same love amongst British wounded soldiers.
"Firstly, may I on behalf of the MOD, RCDM and most importantly; the soldiers, sailors, airman and women who have had the misfortune (due to wounding) to pass through this organisation, now and in the future, offer my sincerest thanks for your generous donation to the Military Patients here at Selly Oak Hospital. All the Hearts4Heroes have now been issued to my Liaison Officers who are passing them on, to all the military personnel that have been wounded in action and find themselves here in Selly Oak Hospital. Yours is quite simply a lovely gesture and I am sure, will make a world of difference.
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Thank you so much for your thoughts and good wishes, we do pass on that message when we pass out the Hearts4Heroes and it is much appreciated. Once again, a huge personal thank-you for all your hard work and efforts."
