WE always knew that our local lads and lasses serving in Bosnia had hearts of gold - but now it's official.

Under the watchful eye Major Tracy Carter at Sipovo, 5 Field Ambulance runs a community care project for the people of Bosnia known as G5.

Going above and beyond the call of duty, these compassionate servicemen and women from Preston's Fulwood Barracks involve themselves in all areas of difficulty, such as health education and rebuilding vital local services.

Major Carter said: " It's not about hand-outs, it's about returning the country to absolute independence.

"G5 makes being in the Royal Army Medical Corps special and I receive a great deal of pleasure from it."

Establishing regional clinics is just one division of G5 projects, primarily run by the forces with the service being handed over to the community as they learn to support themselves.

One rather energetic enterprise is the introduction of regular aerobic classes for troops and residents, instructed by Captain Sandra Sidebottom at a nearby Sipovo school hall.

With some trepidation your ready-for-anything Citizen reporters geared up for a sporty session with Unit Press Officer Lieutenant Rebecca Leary and were amazed by the enthusiastic response to the classes.

Other crucial G5 projects including alcohol awareness, humanitarian aid deliveries and the donation of excess blood from the field hospital to regional centres.

A subject that deserves attention is the Geriatric programme.

Senior citizens of the war-torn land have been forgotten in the race to aid younger victims, but this subject is one close to Major Carter's heart.

He said: " Old people are stranded in homes with no stimulus at all, no pictures on the wall and nothing to occupy them at all except their memories.

"We should remember they have been through this three times now and deserve a little more and we try to do the best we can."

The Citizen congratulates all involved for the fantastic achievements being made by caring soldiers from Fulwood Barracks.

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