Funds raised in tribute to hero soldier Phil Allen (From Dorset Echo)

Funds raised in tribute to hero soldier Phil Allen

3:30pm Wednesday 10th February 2010 in News By Lucy Pearce

PHIL’S MEMORY: Karen Charman-Allen presents money to Lt Col Andrew Edwards from the Rifles at The Keep in Dorchester

More than £1,500 has been raised for the Rifles Benevolent Fund after generous donations from those who attended the funeral of Dorset soldier Phil Allen.

Karen Charman-Allen, the mother of the former rifleman, asked for donations rather than flowers at the service which took place in Wimborne Minster in December.

In total £1,527 was raised and Karen presented the cheque to The Rifles at The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester.

The 20-year-old, who proposed to his girlfriend on the day he flew out to Afghanistan, was killed by an improvised explosive device on the eve of Remembrance Day last year.

He was a former pupil at Penwithen School in Dorchester and a former Dorchester Army Cadet.

Since Phil’s tragic death, Karen has arranged a number of fundraisers to raise cash for the Rifles Benevolent Fund.

The first is the Phil Allen memorial charity golf day, on Friday, April 30 at Crane Valley Golf Club in Verwood.

Teams of four can register through the Forest FM website by downloading a registration form where a donation will be required.

On Saturday, May 1 there will be a football tournament, The Rifles Memorial Match, between Verwood Town FC and Phil’s former Unit 2 Rifles.

This will be held at Potterne Park also in Verwood where kick-off will be at 2pm and people can just turn up on the day to watch.

There will not be an up-front charge but there will be collection buckets where spectators can make a donation.

Karen is also in talks with Dorchester football coach Andy Peart about organising another event after the poor turn-out at a military-style fitness session in Poundbury he organised for Help For Heroes (H4H). She said that despite the lack of support shown at the H4H fundraiser, she was delighted with donations so far. If you are interested in taking part in Karen’s fundraising events please email her at kazcharsen@ vwclub.net for more information.