Staying Put Services Director meets Prime Minister

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, invited Graham Raine, Director, Staying Put Services (SPS), along with other organisations, to a 10 Downing Street Reception to thank them for releasing staff which form part of Britain's Volunteer Reserve Forces.

The SABRE organisation (Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers) said: "Over 10,000 reservists nationally have been mobilised for full time military service since the start of the Iraq campaign in January 2003. This would not have been possible without the support and understanding of employers."

Michael Wallace, a Small Repair Worker at SPS, was released under the scheme and served nine months in Iraq. He returned to SPS unharmed and we received a letter of commendation from the Commander in Chief of the Army for Michael's contribution to the effort in Iraq.

Michael Wallace said: "To leave my family, workmates and friends to go to Iraq was a bolt out of the blue, Iraq was the last place I had pencilled in for a summer vacation. It was an amazing experience and one that I shall never forget. I only hope my efforts make a contribution for peace for the people of Iraq. I would also like to thank all my colleagues for their support during this time."