ARMY sergeant Steve Biddulph has handed over £1,000 to two charities - and took his fund-raising total to more than £10,000. Sgt Biddulph, who is a member of Marlborough Company at Bassingbourn Barracks, presented a £572.85 to the Make a Difference appea

ARMY sergeant Steve Biddulph has handed over £1,000 to two charities - and took his fund-raising total to more than £10,000.

Sgt Biddulph, who is a member of Marlborough Company at Bassingbourn Barracks, presented a £572.85 to the Make a Difference appeal and £600 to the Army Benevolent Fund.

Jo Gibson collected the cheque for the Make a Difference appeal - a charity that is helping raise funds for Odette Cupido, a young South African girl who is suffering from cancer.

The money will be donated towards the costs of her hospital care and chemotherapy after her family in Cape Town had to sell everything in order to provide her with life-saving treatment.

The second cheque was received by retired Captain Alan Armstrong, and chairman of the fund.

The cheque was presented by four recruits from the Dettingen Platoon.

Mr Armstrong said: "The Army Benevolent Fund is always mindful of the generosity of serving soldiers and that there is so much good that can be achieved with such funds.

"Fund-raising provides a chance to give something back to those who have given so much to all of us."

Funds for both charities were raised by recruits from the Marlborough Company after they conducted a sponsored walk along the South Downs Way, which was part of their Adventurous Training.

Sgt Biddulph, of the Corps of Royal Engineers, has over the years organised a number of fund-raising events for charities.

He is leaving Bassingbourn shortly after being promoted to a Territorial Army unit in Walsall.

Talking about his fund-raising efforts, Sgt Biddulph said: "I am simply maintaining a fine Army tradition that encourages those serving to wherever possible, provide support to worthy local organisations.

"It is a wonderful way of building positive links with the community and typifies the caring, generous spirit of the British soldier.