A BEDWORTH mum has paid tribute to the "fantastic" people who have honoured the sacrifice of her soldier son.
Nearly £40,000 has been raised in barely ten months in memory of Sergeant Simon Valentine, who was killed in Afghanistan.
Half of it was collected by the trust set up in his name to help the Fusiliers Aid Society and the Forces Children's Trust.
But another £17,000 has been donated online by soldiers he served with and other friends which has gone directly to the two charities.
Simon's mum Carol Valentine said: "It is absolutely fantastic. People from all over the country have raised money and are still doing so."
Cheques for £10,000 each have been presented to the two charities and most of that was raised in the Bedworth area.
"We kicked it off by raising £6,500 in one day at Bedworth Liberal Club and then other clubs and pubs, like the Travellers Rest and the Miners Arms raised money and it took off," said Carol Valentine.
"The people of Bedworth have been absolutely fantastic, but we always look after our own. Bedworth is a small town with a big heart.
She added: "The trustees of the fund have worked really hard. They are a great team and I can't praise them highly enough."
But she was staggered by the amount that also came in online to the justgiving internet site: "Most of it came from Fusiliers up and down the country who had served with Simon or knew him," she said. "They ran marathons and one completed the Desert Challenge."
"The money did not come to our trust, but they made sure it was donated to the two charities in Simon's name."
Simon Valentine was killed last August in a roadside bomb blast in Helmand Province and is one of the `Magnificent Seven,' the seven members of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers who have died fighting the Taliban.
Described as an "awesome soldier," he was 29 and left a wife Gemma and two children, Chantelle, who is 12 and six-year-old Niamh.
That is why his family were keen to aid the Forces Children's Trust, which supports youngsters, who have lost a parent in the Armed Forces, as well as the Fusiliers Aid Society Members of his family and his memorial trust are also assisting `Fallen Heroes' which also helps those who have lost a loved one in conflict.
"We do stick together and socialise and we are made to feel part of the `Fusiliers Family' which does help a great deal," said Carol Valentine.
The Sergeant Simon Valentine Memorial Trust is ongoing and cheques will be handed over each year on the anniversary of his death.
