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Charity slur

Army Cadet, 16, ‘is ordered by school to remove his Help for Heroes wristband because it is classed as JEWELLERY’

Aspiring soldier says jobsworth rule is an insult to military

A TEENAGE army cadet has slammed his school for forcing him to remove his Help for Heroes charity wristband - because they considered it jewellery.

Kirk Browning, 16, was ordered to remove the iconic red and blue band by jobsworth teachers at Community College Whitstable.

'Disgusting'... Kirk was baffled when the college deemed his charity wristband as jewellery
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'Disgusting'... Kirk was baffled when the college deemed his charity wristband as jewellery
Aspiring hero... Kirk is following his father and uncle's footsteps into the military later this year
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Aspiring hero... Kirk is following his father and uncle's footsteps into the military later this year
The £2 bands sold by Help For Heroes raise money for servicemen and women injured in combat
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The £2 bands sold by Help For Heroes raise money for servicemen and women injured in combat

Kirk, who is due to join the Army in September, says teachers have shamed the injured heroes he hopes to emulate.

He said: “The school actively encourages us to support charities so you think it would be a good thing.

“How can a simple rubber wristband in aid of such a good cause be considered jewellery?"

Kirk says military service is a family tradition and when he joins the army in September he will be following in the footsteps of his father and uncles.

He adds: “I have been wearing charity wristbands for years but there have always been school rules about not wearing earrings and other jewellery, which I understand and now they are being enforced more rigorously.

“But I think it is disgusting to be forced to take off a charity band which is made of rubber.

“They even took me out of class to tell me.

“If it wasn’t for those brave men and women that fought for our country and unfortunately had their arms and legs blown off, these teachers might not have the freedom to tell me to take my ‘jewellery’ off.”

Kirk, of Canterbury Road, Whitstable, took to Facebook to vent his frustration at his school’s decision.

Friends and family leapt to his defence with supportive comments.

Former child cadet, Kirk, says injured servicemen earned this country its freedom and should be recognised
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Former child cadet, Kirk, says injured servicemen earned this country its freedom and should be recognised
Teachers at Community College Whitstable deemed the wristband 'jewellery'
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Teachers at Community College Whitstable deemed the wristband 'jewellery'
'How can a simple rubber wristband in aid of such a good cause be considered jewellery?': Kirk slammed the school's decision
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'How can a simple rubber wristband in aid of such a good cause be considered jewellery?': Kirk slammed the school's decisionCredit: //www.complex.com/covers/jennifer-lopez-interview-2015-cover-story/

One pal wrote: "I would have thought the new head of Whitstable Community College has a number of things to concentrate on, rather than having time to take a student out of class to take off a rubber band which supports such a worthy cause.

"Shake up of priorities are needed."

He leaves the school this summer and goes to Army Foundation College in Harrowgate.

Help For Heroes raises money for injured servicemen and women returning from duty.

Community College Whitstable has been contacted for comment.

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