The Carrington Drum 2005

Presentation

WO1 Alexander and Lt Col Gardner accept the
Carrington Drum Award 2005 on behalf of the
NI CSS Regiment

First winner of the ABF's Carrington Drum is announced

With extraordinary generosity and creativity, the Northern Ireland Combat Services Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps in Kinnegar has surpassed all other Army units to become the first recipient of the ABF's prestigious Carrington Drum Award. The Carrington Drum is to be presented annually to the unit that has made the greatest contribution to fundraising, either by raising the most amount of money for the ABF, or by coming up with the most original idea.

Tireless enthusiasm for fundraising ideas

During the 60th Anniversary year of the ABF in 2004, this year's winning unit made the charity the focus of their fundraising activities. Under the inspirational leadership of Lt Col Fiona Gardner and the executive skill of her RSM WO1 Alexander, the NI CSS Regiment demonstrated tirelass enthusiasm in generating ideas. All sub units, including 406 civilian staff, contributed to a total of 30 events over a year to raise an outstanding £12,029 for the ABF.

bed push

No sleeping on the job as the Regiment orchestrate
a fundraising bed push

Participants took part in a wide variety of activities with great success, from producing a popular calendar to washing cars in fancy dress and conquering the gruelling Four Peak Challenge. A Rank Reversal Day proved to be one of the major fundraisers, in which senior ranks appointments were temporarily raffled out to the highest bidders. The corporal who was subsequently made commanding officer for the day not only had the opportunity to take the squadron parade, but she also approved painting the Regiment's mascot, a steam train, pink.

Presentation by General The Lord Guthrie

The presentation of the Carrington Drum was made by General The Lord Guthrie, President of the Army Benevolent Fund, at a reception following a Beating Retreat on Horse Guard's Parade on 1 June 2005. The plinth has been engraved with the name of the NI CSS Regiment, and the beautiful silver drum will be displayed in the Regiment's mess for one year.

"They were all excellent finalists with some truly inspiring fundraising efforts and the committee was full of admiration for all they did. This is a magnificent achievement for the NI CSS Regiment and we are immensely grateful for their supreme effort on behalf of the Army Benevolent Fund."

The Controller of the ABF, Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter