Sponsored by the Hiscox insurance group, the event was held on the top floor of 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), adjacent to the present home of the Baltic Exchange, and the building that replaced the historic but severely damaged previous home of the Exchange.

When the large truck bomb was detonated on 10 April 1992 it killed three people and 99 others were injured. It caused £800 millions in damage – £200 million more than the total financial cost of all the other previous explosion relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland up to that point.

Hiscox group chairman, Robert Hiscox said: “The City must never forget what we owe to the extreme bravery and selflessness of the bomb disposal experts. Felix Fund needs our help to support them in their continuing fight against terrorism.”

Guests at the dinner included: Major Peter Norton GC, WO2 Karl Ley GM (who holds the record for the volume of devices dealt with), and Cpl Daniel Whittingham, the Afghan-amputee bomb disposal expert who later this year will carry the Olympic torch in his home town of Nottingham.

Also present were Ann Marie Nice, widow of Metropolitan Police explosives officer Nick Nice, who attended the 1992 blast, together with Brigadier Mike Hickson, Director of The Royal Logistic Corps, Brigadier Miles Wade, Head of Army Media and Communications, Lord Archer and Lord Daventry.

WO2 Karl Ley GM	Cpl Daniel Whittingham	Major Peter Norton GC
Hiscox group chairman, Robert Hiscox	Brigadier Mike Hickson	Anne Marie Nice
Lord Archer

Lord (Jeffrey) Archer will conduct a charity auction during the dinner, to raise funds for bomb disposal experts who continue to combat Northern Irish terrorism.

On 10 April 1992 a large truck bomb exploded outside the Baltic Exchange. It killed three people and injured 99 others. It also caused £800 million worth of damage – £200 million more than the total financial cost of all the previous explosions relating to the troubles in Northern Ireland up to that point. Swiss Re commissioned the building, known as ‘The Gherkin,’ which now stands on the site of the former Grade 11* listed Baltic Exchange.

SSgt Brett Linley GM, of 11 EOD Regiment RLC, died while trying to clear improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Nahr-e-Saraj in July 2010. He was posthumously awarded the George Medal in November this year.

The dinner and ball, held in Birmingham, was attended by over 100 family, friends and members of the wider bomb disposal community.

Felix Fund is delighted to welcome Anne and Trisha as fundraising co-ordinators for West Midlands area.

Over £55,000 was raised for bomb disposal experts at Felix Fund’s official launch on 15^th September. The 200 guests, hosted by Lord Ashcroft in the House of Lords, included Toni O’Donnell, widow of W02 Gaz O’Donnell GM +Bar, and Christina Schmid, widow of SSgt Olaf Schmid GC. Also present were serving Army bomb disposal experts, BBC Defence Correspondant Caroline Wyatt and Sean Rayment, Sunday Telegraph Reporter and author of ‘Bomb Hunters’.

Speaking at the launch, Felix Fund Trustee Major Karl Frankland RLC said:

“EOD soldiers continue to receive some excellent support from other charities. But it clear the only way to meet our specialist needs in a timely, efficient, sustained manner is via Felix Fund- The Bomb Disposal Charity – set up for us, by us.’

Christina Schmid

Pupils from Abingdon School, who raised £6,500 for Felix Fund, try on the bomb suit

W02 Ken Bellringer, Major Pete Norton GC listen to W01 Tony Kelly's brief on the current UK and overseas IED threat.

Silent Auction Prizes

Lord Ashcroft, philanthropist, author and Conservative peer is to host Felix Fund’s official launch in The House of Lords.

Felix Fund chief executive, Holly Davies, said: “The evening drinks reception on 15^th September is to thank Felix Fund’s very first supporters and to meet those wishing to help us in the future. We are enormously grateful to Lord Ashcroft, both for supporting our work with Bomb disposal experts, and now for hosting our national launch in such a prestigious, historic venue.”

Guests will include bomb disposal experts and their families, philanthropists, corporate supporters and the national media. They will be briefed on Felix Fund’s aims and on what help is needed to achieve them. There will also be a display from Alpha Troop, 11 EOD regiment’s elite assault IEDD unit, plus a presentation on the current IED threat, both in the UK and overseas.

For press queries and details of corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Holly Davies on 07503 931 441 or holly@felixfund.org.uk

The sports included: Football, High Jump, Rugby, Volleyball, Tennis, Archery, Swimming, Climbing, Badminton, Hockey, Basketball, Cricket, Rowing, Squash, Table Tennis, Pool and Canoe Polo.

Major Karl Frankland, bomb disposal operator and trustee of Felix Fund, said: “Raising £6,500 is pretty good going for any group, let alone lads of 12 and 13. And what an excellent tribute to the men and women of 11EOD Regiment, who provide 24 hour protection against terrorist bombs across the UK everyday. We are very grateful indeed to all involved.”

The £6,500 was raised through sponsorship, cake sales and a charity auction.

The decision to support Felix Fund was made by the boys themselves. The very best of luck to you all – and have fun!