What it’s all about
I was working as a supply teacher in a primary school when the charity Help for Heroes was launched in 2007. I was fascinated by the work it was doing and became a volunteer, writes Katie Wilson.
The charity has raised more than #163;150 million so far and works closely with the Army, Navy and RAF to provide practical support to our wounded, injured and sick service men and women and veterans.
We were often asked to speak in primary schools, but felt we didn’t have the right tools. So we developed Heroes Hat Trick, a lively resource to educate children while getting them actively involved. We sometimes visit schools with wounded service people and veterans, but the resource can stand alone. It includes teacher’s notes, a resource pack, posters and two DVDs. One features celebrities, such as boyband One Direction, explaining how the charity works. The other shows children and a couple of my ex-Army friends, both of whom have had leg amputations, taking part in the Heroes Hat Trick.
These are challenges that can be set in PE or on sports days. There is a three-legged obstacle course, a blindfolded obstacle course and a challenge in which each child must get a netball through a hoop while sitting down.
Children find them huge fun, and they encourage communication, physical dexterity and team work. They also begin to understand some of the challenges the wounded face every day.
What else?
Sclindal has shared an obstacle course unit to get pupils moving. bit.lyObstacleCourse. Try Dancing diva’s lesson, in which pupils create a dance to represent soldiers in a parade. bit.lyParadeDance.
