Goodwood Salutes Tickets For Troops 2010-07-29
THE first day of Glorious Goodwood brought out the stars as well as the top racehorses for one of Britain's most glamorous racing festivals.
The event also had an extra poignancy with the presence of two hundred members of the Armed Forces and their families from regiments all over the country.
Lord March, the owner of Goodwood had generously donated the tickets to the charity Tickets For Troops, which is dedicated to providing free tickets for major sporting, musical and theatre events all over the country.
Former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio also hosted a Sporting Greats lunch with guests such as World Cup rugby legends Jason Leonard and Matt Dawson and Australian cricket hero, Shane Warne in aid of the Dallaglio Foundation, which supported Tickets For Troops on the day.
The charity's recently appointed new Patron Christina Schmid, 34, the brave widow of bomb disposal Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, who was killed in Afghanistan last year, presented the winner's trophies in the first race with representatives of the three military services.
She was joined by Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Gillian Russell, Flight Lieutenant Paul Goodwin, a Merlin helicopter pilot based at RAF Benson, Oxon and Sergeant Glen Reeves from the 16th Medical Regiment based at Colchester.
Christina said: "It's fantastic that so many venues and organisations are supporting our Armed Forces in this way. Tickets For Troops is leading the way in recognising the courage and sacrifice of those serving their country."
Warrant Office Kevin Oakley from RAF Benson who arrived back in the UK from Afghanistan the night before the races said; "What a terrific day, this sort of event makes us feel very proud and very appreciated."
Stunning actress Elizabeth Hurley, a guest of Lord March and appropriately a Judge for the 'best-turned out' horse for the fourth race of the day went out of her way to meet the guest troops and meet Christina, wearing an eye-catching salmon pink dress.
Top jockey Frankie Dettori also interrupted his race preparation to meet the troops and Christina but failed to offer any winning tips.
The racecard was full of aptly named race horse such Changing the Guard, Sentry Duty, Air Force Marshall but only Rebel Soldier came home a winner.
Lawrence Dallaglio said; "I was thrilled and privileged to host such a great lunch at such a wonderful venue as Goodwood and meet all the guests from Tickets For Troops."
The Football League Supports Tickets For Troops 2010-07-30
TICKETS FOR TROOPS is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Football League which will enable members of the Armed Forces to attend their local clubs up and down the country. Reading FC, Barnet FC, Charlton Athletic FC and Rochdale AFC are amongst the first teams to have signed up to the initiative, and we are excited to be able to provide free tickets to our troops.
This will give the opportunity for airmen, sailors and soldiers to cheer on their local teams up and down the country.
Gavin Megaw, Director of External Affairs at The Football League, said: “Football League clubs have a longstanding close relationship with the Armed Forces, and it is great to see these clubs supporting Tickets For Troops in this way. The charity is a fantastic way of giving something back to our servicemen and women and The Football League is proud to be making a contribution to that effort.”
Tickets For Troops Chairman, Lord Marland said: “Tickets For Troops has benefited from a great wave of generosity from our ticket donors who have wanted to demonstrate their support and show their appreciation for the dedication and commitment of the marvellous men and women of our Armed Forces. I would like to thank The Football League for their kind and fantastic support in establishing this new relationship which enables troops from all corners of the country to support their local team.”
Rod Stewart shows support for Tickets For Troops 2010-07-30
BIG HEARTED rock Star Rod Stewart is showing his support for the charity Tickets For Troops by offering free tickets for his summer tour to members of the Armed Forces and their families, it was announced today.
Soldiers, sailors, airmen and their families will have the chance to see the legendary hitmaker belting out chart toppers like Maggie May, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy and Tonight’s the Night at the Sheffield Arena on 20th July and at the Glasgow SECC on 26th July.
500 Troops enjoy day at Silverstone with Tickets For Troops 2010-07-30
Servicemen and women were welcomed to Silverstone after they were given free tickets for the British Grand Prix. The racetrack gave away 500 tickets for members of the armed forces and their families through the charity Tickets For Troops.
A special stand was built to accommodate the special guests and a dedicated park and ride system was set up at nearby Towcester racecourse.
The Duke of York, who supports the charity and helped to organise the special day at Silverstone, said: "It's so important to recognise the work of our armed forces and their families, not just when they're deployed overseas but when they come back home."
Tickets For Troops chairman Lord Marland said: "The British Grand Prix is one of the hottest tickets of the sporting calendar and for Silverstone to offer us 500 tickets is generous beyond belief. We cannot thank them enough.We look forward to seeing more organisations getting involved in what is an easy and effective way to support our troops. Just offer us free tickets and we can guarantee them a deserving home."
Tottenham Hotspur Back Tickets For Troops 2010-07-30
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR have donated 2000 tickets to their pre-season fixture against Villareal to Tickets For Troops. Villareal, who finished seventh in Spain's La Liga last season, visit the Lane on Thursday July 29.
As part of the Club's continued support for the Tickets for Troops scheme, Tottenham will be providing up to 2,000 tickets to our Armed Forces and their families for this fixture. The Club is committed to supporting British troops and has regularly provided tickets to matches for those serving in the forces.
Sporting Great Dallaglio joins forces with Goodwood in aid of Tickets for Troops 2010-07-30
In the week leading up to Armed Forces Day on 26th June, together with the Dallaglio Foundation, Goodwood is proud to confirm it will be supporting Tickets for Troops by donating 200 tickets to its Sporting Greats Day at Glorious Goodwood.
Sporting Greats Day takes place on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood, Tuesday 27th July, and is a celebration of sporting excellence at one Britain’s most renowned summer sporting occasions. The day also promotes a charitable cause and this year the beneficiary is Tickets for Troops, meaning the charity will also benefit from the proceeds of a raceday lunch hosted by Lawrence Dallaglio.
Lord March, Chairman of Goodwood, said: “Goodwood will be supporting Tickets for Troops throughout the year but Sporting Greats Day is a great opportunity to showcase the charity’s work. Both Goodwood and the Dallaglio Foundation individually identified Tickets for Troops as being a great cause to champion and we will be showing our support for the armed forces by welcoming 200 soldiers, sailors and airmen to Glorious Goodwood.”
Lawrence Dallaglio said: “Through the Dallaglio Foundation we aim to support very specific, tangible projects which make a real and personal difference to people’s lives. Tickets for Troops is one such cause and Sporting Greats Day provides a great platform to generate awareness and raise some funds for the charity.”
Chairman of Tickets for Troops, Lord Marland said: “Tickets for Troops is delighted to be supported by the Dallaglio Foundation on this special day at Goodwood. The charity is beginning to make a real difference to the lives of so many of our marvellous serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. I know all our troops will have a fantastic day at Goodwood and it is a huge boost to their morale to receive this donation of tickets to Sporting Greats Day.”
Jeremy Clarkson Organises Tickets For Troops 2010-07-30
PETROLHEAD and Tickets For Troops Patron, Jeremy Clarkson fixed tickets for his local festival, Cornbury, for Tickets For Troops. He wrote in The Sun on Saturday:
"Tickets For Troops is an even better idea than sliced bread. Cowell's behind it, so are Chelsea Football Club as well as tons of shows in the West End. And after a phone call - that my wife made – I’ve organised 100 free tickets for the Cornbury Festival in Oxfordshire next weekend.”
Samantha Cameron announces Christina Schmid as a Patron of TFT 2010-07-30
In her first charitable event in Downing Street, Samantha Cameron, Patron of Tickets For Troops, has opened the doors of Number 10 to host a special reception for members of the Armed Forces.
At the event Mrs Cameron announced to guests, including HRH, The Duke of York, that Christina Schmid, widow of bomb disposal expert Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, will join her as a Patron of Tickets For Troops.
Samantha Cameron said: “I am thrilled that the first event I am hosting here at Downing Street is for a charity that is so close to my heart and I am delighted to welcome Christina as a new Patron for Tickets For Troops. She has shown remarkable strength and has deservedly earned great respect from the nation for the way she has campaigned to support those serving our country. I’m very happy to be welcoming her to the Tickets For Troops team.”
Mrs Schmid added: “Tickets For Troops is a wonderfully simple idea - these small gestures of support mean an awful lot to the Armed Forces and really prove that we care and recognise their bravery and dedication. I am proud to become a Patron.”
Guests at the reception included serving military who have been injured in Afghanistan and have received free tickets under the scheme. Also present was television presenter Kate Silverton, a keen supporter of Tickets For Troops who will compere the charity’s Summer Party at the Royal Opera House, Army Chief of Staff, General Sir David Richards and former rugby league and rugby union player turned television commentator, Jonathan Davies..
The Chairman of Tickets For Troops, Lord Marland said: “We are thrilled that Samantha has shown her support for Tickets For Troops by hosting a reception at Downing Street and we look forward to seeing more organisations getting involved in what is an easy and effective way to support our troops – just offer us free tickets and we can guarantee them a deserving home!”
Summer Update from TFT 2010-07-30
TICKETS For Troops today has announced a bumper summer giveaway of free tickets for the Armed Forces and their families ranging from family days out at top theme parks, to England football matches to the prestigious British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
So far, over 53,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen have registered with www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk and over 200,000 tickets have been generously donated by sporting organisations and theatres.
Tickets For Troops Chairman Lord Marland said: “We now know that Tickets For Troops is really making a difference to those who sacrifice so much on behalf of the rest of us and everyone wants to acknowledge that by rewarding these courageous young people in some little way.”
The FA and Wembley Stadium, which was one of the first organisations to support Tickets For Troops and officially partnered the charity donating 1000 FREE tickets for the pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico has pledged another 1000 tickets for the next England friendly match against Hungary at Wembley on August 11th (www.thefa.com)
County Cricket Clubs, the MCC, The ECB and Natwest have come together to donate over 20,000 tickets to top cricket matches including the England's One Day Internationals against Australia and Bangladesh occuring throughout June and September across the country. On top of this troops can apply for both county and International Twenty20 fixtures including the series against Pakistan at: www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk.
In Tennis, Tickets For Troops teamed up with the LTA to provide over 500 tickets of the AEGON British Tennis Series events this summer - the AEGON Classic in Birmingham; the AEGON International in Eastbourne and AEGON Championships at Queen's Club, London.
In Athletics troops can get tickets to see the best athletes in the world go head to head at the Aviva British Grand Prix in Gateshead on Saturday 10 July and the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on 13-14 August.
Tickets For Troops has also provided thousands of trips for troops to theme parks across the country and troops and their families will enjoy a fabulous day at the seaside – courtesy of Adventure Island and Sea-Life Adventure Aquarium, on Southend’s seafront. Family tickets have also been made available at Groombridge Place Gardens and the Enchanted Forest in Kent.
Having allocated tickets for Bon Jovi and Leona Lewis in the O2 already this summer Tickets For Troops will be offering free tickets for the Cornbury Festival, The South Devon Festival featuring Will Young on July 24th, Iron Maiden at Sonisphere from 30th July to 1st August, and Norah Jones at the Manchester Apollo.
Tickets For Troops have also been donated over 40,000 horseracing tickets, including Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival. On top of this Glorious Goodwood and rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio has teamed up with Tickets For Troops and The Dallaglio Foundation for their Sporting Greats Day on Tuesday 27th July and provided 200 tickets for our Armed Forces.
In golf the Royal and Ancient Golf Course have very generously provided some of their tickets to be offered to troops on www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk for The Open Championship, Europe's Premier Golfing Championship.
On 11th July 500 troops and their partners will be attending this year’s Santander British Grand Prix when both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will be aiming to impress the loyal British fans at their home race and hoping to mount the steps of the Silverstone podium. Running alongside the thrilling on-track action, the troops will be treated to a host of additional entertainment including the ever popular post race party, air displays, entertainment zones and the F1™ trade mall.
Although the World Cup has finished for England thousands of tickets will be available for this summer’s Masters Football series which will be held in top arenas in Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Wembley throughout July. Added to this, Tottenham Hotspur are donating 2000 tickets to their pre-season match against Villareal on July 29th at White Hart Lane.
CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival has made hundreds of tickets available for our troops at the "biggest pub in the world" which offers around 450 beers from British breweries, as well as around 200 foreign beers from countries including Belgium, Germany and the USA, taking place from 3rd - 7th August at Earls Court.
Prime Minister Backs Tickets For Troops 2010-07-30
THE Prime Minister, David Cameron today urged organisations to support the charity Tickets for Troops as he called on Britain to give more backing to its Armed Forces.
The Prime Minister, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, said of Tickets For Troops, “It’s a great idea and I urge more event organisers and sports clubs to show their gratitude by getting involved. The truth is there is no hope of properly repaying our Armed Forces for the work they do, either through money or resources or gratitude. But we – as a country and as a Government – must always do our best to show our thanks and our pride in them.”
Tickets For Troops to Bon Jovi's Concerts 2010-07-30
ONE of the world's biggest and best top touring bands, Bon Jovi is supporting the charity Tickets for Troops by donating tickets to their series of concerts at the O2 in London for Britain’s Armed Forces and their families. Bon Jovi are playing at London's leading music venue, The O2 arena as part of their world Circle Tour, and have agreed to donate tickets for the charity set up last year to provide top sporting, musical and performance tickets to soldiers, sailors and airmen.
Leona Lewis Tickets For Troops at the O2 2010-07-30
TICKETS FOR TROOPS have been donated tickets to the concert of Global Singing Sensation, Leona Lewis, at the O2 arena tonight, it was announced today. The O2 has been a strong supporter of Tickets For Troops since it was set up last year to provide free tickets to all members of Armed Forces and their families for major musical, theatrical cultural and sporting events.
Armed Forces inspire England World Cup team 2010-07-30
Amid the feverish build-up towards England’s first World Cup match, the team has taken time to thank the men and women of the Armed Forces for the outstanding contribution they make to the UK.
During Prime Minister David Cameron’s first visit to Afghanistan this week he read a moving tribute from England manager Fabio Capello and his World Cup team:
“While the players receive incredible support from the country as we are about to kick off in the World Cup, it is important you know how much all of your efforts mean to all of the players and staff with the England team.
Your brave service to your country means so much to the players and I and we all have complete respect of the incredible sacrifices you and your families make.
While we will be doing all we can to achieve success in South Africa for the whole country, we want you to know that we believe you are the real heroes.”
Our Boys and Girls have also pledged their support for the England team. To help spur them on to victory, England players were shown a video of soldiers based in Camp Bastion in Helmand, Afghanistan waving England flags and displaying their enthusiastic support for the team.
England captain Steven Gerrard said:
“We watched the DVD from the troops in Afghanistan and it was inspiring – very moving and touching. They were a mix of ages, all passionate about football and wearing the shirts of the different teams they support back home.
This film puts it all into perspective. We realise what they are doing out there for our country. It drives you on when you realise the kind of people who are behind you and how much it means to them that we do well.”
England’s last friendly at Wembley against Mexico was a special tribute to our servicemen and women. Around 1,000 Armed Forces personnel were provided with free tickets by the FA through the Service charity Tickets for Troops.
Some of the messages of support:
I was overwhelmed by the courage and bravery of the Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan. Having seen first hand the vital job that they are doing, it is a privilege to give my support to Armed Forces Day. The nation owes the Armed Forces an enormous amount and Armed Forces Day is a superb way of how we all can show them that they have our support.
- David Beckham
The Armed Forces do an amazing job for us, and I support all of our brave sailors, soldiers and airmen, serving overseas and at home.
- Alan Shearer
I want to show my support for all the servicemen and women I met while visiting Afghanistan last year and to say thank you to the Armed Forces community for the huge contribution they make on behalf of our country.
- Gary Lineker
On Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26 June, millions of people across the UK will be watching the World Cup on television; no doubt many of them Serving Personnel, veterans and cadets. It is important that we show the same passion supporting our Armed Forces. A great deal is asked of our servicemen and women and they always meet those challenges with courage and dedication.
- John Motson
Britain should feel incredibly proud of its servicemen and women. We should acknowledge the work they do on behalf of our country and their remarkable achievements in extremely challenging circumstances. The spirit and character displayed by our troops is second-to-none.
Sir Trevor Brooking
Tennis For Troops 2010-07-30
Over 500 members of the Armed Forces and their families have been given the chance to watch top class British tennis matches free of charge this summer with Tickets For Troops, it was announced today.
Tickets For Troops sends 6 troops to World Cup 2010-07-30
TICKETS FOR TROOPS is sending six members of the Armed Forces and their families to South Africa for England’s opening match of the World Cup against USA on Saturday, 12th June, it was announced today.
Troops enjoy England International at Wembley thanks to TFT 2010-07-30
More than 1000 free tickets were distributed by Tickets for Troops for the England World Cup warm-up match at Wembley on Monday 24 May, when England secured a 3-1 victory over Mexico. The troops were encouraged to attend in uniform and many were given prime seats in line with the half-way line opposite the dugouts. Before the game the troops were given a round of applause by the crowd and players, and a single representative from each of the three Services - Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force - took to the pitch for the presentation of the players.
It was the first event where Tickets for Troops had offered tickets for an event at Wembley Stadium.
Lord Marland, Chairman of Tickets for Troops, said:
"It's fantastic that the FA [Football Association] has got behind Tickets for Troops. Football is so popular with our Armed Forces and to have over 1,000 tickets to an England international is fantastic. The tickets were taken up in a very short period of time.”
THE FA TEAMS UP WITH TICKETS FOR TROOPS FOR ENGLAND V MEXICO AT WEMBLEY 2010-07-30
The FA announced today that they will partner the charity Tickets For Troops for England’s last home game ahead of the World Cup and dedicate the match to the brave men and women who have been serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.
1000 tickets have been donated to the charity for England’s match against Mexico at Wembley on Monday, 24th May (named the ‘Tickets For Troops International’).
Ahead of the kick-off, the England players will lead the crowd in applauding the soldiers, airmen and sailors both in the stadium and elsewhere as a mark of respect for their commitment and bravery..
John Terry, Chelsea captain and England defender said:
“We want the Armed Forces to have the recognition and support they fully deserve. They are the people who are putting their lives on the line for us and are the true heroes. We know so many of them will be cheering us on in the World Cup wherever they are. We truly appreciate that and are privileged to be able to show our respect at our final home game before we head off to South Africa.”
The World of Cricket donates thousands of Wickets For Troops this summer 2010-07-30
Tickets For Troops is to offer servicemen and women thousands of free tickets to a number of this summer’s domestic and international cricket matches over fourteen clubs all over Britain, allowing troops access to over 400 days of sport.
Samantha Cameron becomes Patron of Tickets For Troops 2010-07-30
SAMANTHA Cameron has become a Patron of Tickets For Troops and performed her first official engagement last night at a London performance of the hit musical Oliver!. The wife of the Tory leader, David Cameron, met troops and their families who attended the performance along with members of the cast at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Samantha Cameron said: “Tickets For Troops has been a massive success in terms of recognising the work and courage of our troops but it has also rewarded their families, whose support and love is crucial to those on the frontline. I am delighted and privileged to support such an excellent cause.”
Tickets For Troops Chairman, Lord Marland, said: “Samantha will be an excellent ambassador for Tickets For Troops. I know this is a cause which is very close to her heart and she will make a significant difference to our success. We are honoured to have her support.”
1000 Tickets pledged to Iconic St Georges Day Fixture 2010-07-30
Over 1000 members of the Armed Forces and their families will be attending the big St George’s Day rugby match between London Wasps and Bath at Twickenham on April 24th with Tickets for Troops. The match, the first of three St George’s Day themed Wasps games over the next three years, will feature military demonstrations and a performance by The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke.
Tickets for Troops takes to the airwaves 2010-07-30
Tickets for Troops will now take to the airwaves with their own twice-daily radio slot across the UK on Garrison FM, the Army’s radio service. Managing Director, Mark Page said “We thought Tickets for Troops was a brilliant idea and have supported the charity from the off, flagging up some great tickets to our target audience of soldiers. We’ve now decided to up that and award Tickets for Troops their own daily radio spots across the UK and online around the world. The tickets are just such a great reward for the work done by our soldiers, sailors and airmen that we want as many of our audience as possible to take up the great offers. Garrison FM is proud to be Tickets for Troops Military Broadcast Partner.”
Shearer has given his backing to Tickets for Troops 2010-07-30
FORMER England and Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer has given his backing to Tickets for Troops by becoming a Patron.
He said: “I am delighted and proud to back such a fantastic scheme. I am sure this will make a major difference to our Armed Forces and is a very simple way for us to recognise their bravery and sacrifice.”
400 Tickets for FA Cup Semi Finals 2010-07-30
The Football Association has today announced they will be providing 100 FREE tickets for members of the Armed Forces for each of the FOUR teams in next weekend's FA Cup semi-final matches between Aston Villa and Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth at Wembley Stadium.
National Express - Discount for Troops 2010-07-30
National Express has today launched Britain’s largest travel discount for the Armed Forces, providing every serving member of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force with half price coach travel.