David Cameron has helped to launch Tickets for Troops, a new initiative which offers the Armed Forces free tickets to big events including football matches and top music acts.
Since July 2009, when David Cameron announced his ambition for this scheme, Tickets for Troops has been set up as an independent not for profit company that will help us start giving something back to our troops. It has received huge support from the sports and entertainment worlds. Today’s launch has kindly been funded by AEG/The O2.
Gary Lineker and Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC join David Cameron today at The O2 to launch Tickets for Troops
Tickets have been donated for top football and cricket matches, boxing contests, snooker, horse-racing events, theatre, and both classic and rock music concerts around the country.
From today these tickets will be made available exclusively to eligible personnel at www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk, which has teamed up with top ticket distributor www.seetickets.com. A donation of £1 will be requested for every ticket, which will be distributed across service charities.
A new initiative which offers the Armed Forces free tickets to big events including football matches and top music acts
Patrons include singer Joss Stone, cricketer Sir Ian Botham, singer, James Blunt, actress Joanna Lumley, Dame Vera Lynn, ex England player and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, and ex-England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio.
David Cameron said: “Ticket for Troops is all about people coming together to say to the armed forces: thank you, we respect you and we recognise the sacrifice you are making for us.
I’m proud of the part the Conservative Party has played in getting this off the ground and want to thank everyone for generously lending their time and support to this great cause.”
Commenting on the launch, Tickets for Troops Patron, Gary Lineker said: “As a country we seem to have suddenly gained a respect and a pride in our armed forces, which in many ways, is long overdue. Tickets for Troops recognises these very special people for the extraordinary things they do every day of their lives.”
Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, awarded the VC for his courageous acts in Iraq, added: “This is a fantastic idea and it is heartening and uplifting for any serving soldier or ex soldier to know that people really appreciate the work they do and this is a brilliant way of demonstrating respect for our Armed Forces.”
If you wish to view the launch and find out more then click on the link: David Cameron helps to launch \”Tickets for Troops\”
