Greyhound stadium unveils money & tickets for troops package

Manchester Greyhound Stadium has signed up to offer every serviceman a free welcome at the dogs as part of its troops fund-raiser which this year was sponsored by Apex Health & Social Care and hosted by Miss England, serving British soldier Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge.

Apex Health & Social Care sponsored Manchester Greyhound Stadium's St. George's Day fundraising event for troops as part of its high-profile Hire a Hero campaign.

Hire a Hero is the brainchild of Karen Chadwick, chief executive of Apex. It is a campaign to persuade UK employers to give ex-services personnel a meaningful job when they leave the forces.

The campaign was launched in February and generated huge media interest and backing from prime minister Gordon Brown. More than 1000 people have registered their support on the Hire a Hero Facebook page and hundreds of job offers have been advertised.

Race goers at Belle Vue Stadium have historically been generous supporters of the track's fund raising for troops and general manager, Mick Hardy, was confident that the evening would generate a sizeable return.

He said: "This year we got some real added attractions to the event, not least by the generous sponsorship from Apex.

"We're really delighted Lance Corporal Hodge also agreed to join us. She has seen action in Iraq and raising money for troops is a cause close to her heart. We asked her to be a guest of honour at the event and help drum up donations."

Hodge, dubbed 'Combat Barbie' is no beauty pageant pushover. She was drawn to serving her country at a young age. She left school at 16 and joined the Army. She went on to be one of only ten women in the Royal Anglicans to be posted to Iraq for seven months at the age of 18.

While in Iraq, she won a commendation for disarming and detaining a suspected rebel fighter. She also finds time to be the face, and body, of lingerie chain La Senza.

The Chairman of Tickets For Troops, Lord Marland said: "We were absolutely delighted that Belle Vue gave its support for Tickets For Troops in this way. Their kind generosity and recognition of the sacrifices these people are making on our behalf will really make a big difference to their lives."