WITH a son serving in the forces and a distinguished military career behind him, Bob McKenzie has every reason to support our troops.
The former sergeant major is determined to help in any way he can.
So, he has launched a calendar to raise money for Help For Heroes and two other charities.
It features photographs of soldiers and people from Bob's home village of Preston.
"I've had some really good support from the villagers," said Bob, who served in the Royal Signals Regiment for 25 years.
"We've tried to have a bit of fun with the calendar, while still showing it's a serious subject.
"You can put a calendar out that's just drab and it won't sell."
Bob's son has been a soldier for 20 years and has served in Afghanistan.
Help For Heroes supports soldiers injured in the current conflict and Bob, 61, believes it is an important cause.
"The thing that got me was while things have gone on overseas and you've had dead soldiers coming back, injured soldiers who had lost their limbs didn't get much help," he said.
"The British Legion does a marvellous job as well but it's more about honouring the dead.
"Help For Heroes does the job of helping injured soldiers."
Bob's long career took him all over the world before he left in 1996.
"I served in Hong Kong and Northern Ireland," he said.
"We have a reunion every two years.
"I don't really miss the forces life although I do miss the camaraderie.
"But there are some good people in civilian life too."
Bob is also supporting the RNLI and cancer charity Hull and East Riding Breast Friends.
He hopes to raise a total of £3,000 to be split equally between each charity and is already two-thirds of the way there.
"I think I'm past £2,000 at the moment," he said.
"All the money I've raised is a drop in the ocean but every little bit will help.
"It took me about a year to do it all. I've done it with a local photographer who has a studio in the village."
The calendar has been well supported by villagers and traders in the area.
Bob gave everyone who appeared in it 20 copies to sell.
The calendar has also been put out at Asda in Bilton and a nearby Co-op supermarket.
Village pub the Cock & Bell has helped, too. It holds the Cockstock music festival every summer with performances from East Yorkshire bands.
Five acts took to the pub's stage – Cuba Drive, The Influential Factor, Danny Shenton, Hollie and Heidi Mayfield, Penny Whores and The Brink.
This year, ticket sales raised about £500 for Bob's charities.
Landlady Sheryl Dobson said she was delighted to lend a hand.
"Everybody has been really good about it and mucked in," she said.
"All the bands gave their time for nothing.
"We sold tickets and after paying for a sound system and everything there was just more than £500 left over."
Bob has also been supported by BP and his employer, Hull security firm SPS.
"SPS have been really helpful," he said.
"They've given me full backing. I've taken little bits of time out to concentrate on the calendar.
"It's been hard work but it's been worth it.
"I don't think I would do it again, organising everything."
The calendar is available from shops in Preston, Hedon and the surrounding area.
