What people can do

It's amazing what people can do with a little nudge in the right direction and the opportunity to do good.

A photography forum that I'm a member of had a fairly new recruit who is disabled. That's great, everone is welcome regardless of age, sex or ability. Now this chap had been dealt a bit of a triple whammy. He was disabled in a motorcycle accident, then suffered a stroke and as a result had become less keen to go out in public. His speech is impaired though improving all the time. He also has a wife and two children so life right now is not as easy as it is for most of us.

He was out one day taking pics with his stroke charity and smashed his camera. His insurance refused to pay because it was not at home. So the one thing that had gotten him out and about was denied him. That is until a certain serving Army photographer found out!

So we had a whip round last night to see what we could do about replacing that most valuable camera. This morning the whip round stands at £1500 and I'm sure there is more to come. We can get him a camera with a swivel screen that will allow more shooting opportunities. Changing lenses can be a problem for our friend so one 18-200mm lens has been specified so he doesn't have to!

Then one of our camera suppliers stepped in and offered all the equipment he needs and will give us a discount, allowing us to buy more. A special clamp and arm so he can mount it on his wheelchair instead of a tripod has been added to the list.Insurance for his camera has been suggested and people have been raiding drawers for extra batteries, chargers and memory cards.

It's going to be the most valuable camera on the forum because it's the one that J needs right now. It has brought a little photographic community on t'interweb together in a common purpose and that is to give a fellow photographer a lift when he needs it.

Rob Knight is the "Hard as nuts" complete softhead who is putting this together and it just shows how much of a caring side our armed services have despite the things they have to see and do. Rob, you are a softhead and a gent. :)