From This is London, Metro and The Telegraph
A council refused to back a military charity event for fear of offending minority groups.
Richard Chamberlain had applied for a £500 grant to help him raise cash for Help for Heroes, which cares for wounded soldiers. But Portsmouth City Council turned down the 57-year-old, saying in a letter: 'The event could cause offence to ethnic minority groups living in the community who may also have experience of injury/violence due to the war.'
After further appeals, council chiefs backed down and agreed to fully support the fun day on September 20. Steven Wylie, a senior councillor, admitted that the initial decision was an error of judgment. Which is putting it mildly.
He said: 'I would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by the decision to turn down an application for funding.' "The decision was made with the best intentions, but it is clear that in the council's view there has been an error of judgment.  I am glad that I have been able to look again at the application for funding for this summer event and I can confirm that we have been able to offer the applicants the full £500 they applied for. I would like to wish Help for Heroes every success in their summer event."
The event will feature a table-top sale, a barbecue, a bouncy castle and face painting.
Help for Heroes was launched in September 2007, by a group of people with connections to servicemen or women. The charity is backed by the army's own charity, the Army Benevolent Fund, as well as the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt.  It was one of the charities assisted at the City Salute in May sponsored by Princes William and Harry.
Richard Chamberlain said: 'It's just brilliant that this thing has a happy ending.'