Tickets For Troops reaches 2,000,000 donated tickets milestone
Tickets For Troops has donated more than two million tickets to the Armed Forces since its launch in 2009, the military charity has announced.
The milestone was celebrated with a special invitation to Number 10 Downing Street for recipients of the tickets and representatives of the charity.
A reception was hosted by businesswoman Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rushi Sunak, who said: "Over two million tickets is absolutely fantastic. It's incredible what you have been doing and achieved."
Tickets For Troops' mission is to offer exciting opportunities to those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, those medically discharged after 2001 and the next of kin of those who have passed away in service.
The charity aims to provide access to events that can be attended with family and friends to show the Armed Forces how much the country appreciates their service and to help them make lasting memories.
Garrison Sergeant Andrew Stokes, who was a guest of Tickets For Troops (T4T) at Number 10 and was in charge of organising the ceremonies for the late Queen's funeral as well as the Coronation of King Charles, said: "It was a great privilege for me to attend Number 10 as a guest of Tickets For Troops."
'Punch above their weight'
He added: "I'm proud to have run two London Marathons to raise money for this great charity.
"They are an incredible, effective and small charity that makes a huge difference to service personnel, giving them opportunities they wouldn't normally have.
"They punch above their weight in every way – thank you for what you do."
Founder and current chair Lord Jonathan Marland said: "Two million tickets is a milestone we never thought we would pass when we started T4T.
"All those organisations from entertainment, sport and the arts have been hugely generous to our servicemen and women recognising the vital role they play for our country.
"Our huge thanks go out to them and everyone who has supported us."
Highlights over the years have included an allocation of tickets for the London Olympics in 2012, the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and tickets for personnel deployed abroad for events like the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix, and more recently Ukrainian sailors being trained in the UK.
Special Forces personnel have also received significant ticket allocations, especially from the rugby community at club and international level.
Foreign Secretary and former prime minister Lord David Cameron was a driving force behind the success of the charity, generously hosting events at Number 10 with his wife Samantha, a former patron of Tickets For Troops.
Of the milestone, he said: "I am so proud to have played a small part in bringing this extraordinary organisation into being.
"But above all, massive congratulations to those who have turned it into such a force for good.
"The original idea was that we all needed to do more to show thanks and respect to those who serve in our Armed Forces, and that's as true today as ever."
Warrant Officer Johnson Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery and risking his life to save his crew in Iraq in 2004, also supported the original launch of the charity at an event at the 02.
He said: "I am very proud to have been involved from the start with this wonderful charity.
"There are many, many charities in the military sector, but Tickets For Troops has a real impact on soldiers and their families.
"I salute all those involved."
Match Of The Day host and England football legend Gary Lineker also supported the launch 14 years ago and has regularly attended events over the years.
He said: "Many congratulations to Tickets For Troops.
"This started out as a very simple and small-scale initiative and has grown and flourished into something which has made a real and meaningful difference to those serving in our fantastic Armed Forces.
"I am so proud to be associated with such a fantastic charity."
Lord Houghton, a former chief of the defence staff who is a director of the charity, also paid tribute to the two million landmark, saying: "Tickets For Troops has just passed an amazing milestone – it has distributed its two millionth ticket.
"This represents two million 'thank yous' to the world of sport, music and the performing arts from the members of our country's Armed Forces.
"Lots of charities give wonderful support to those Armed Forces, particularly to our veterans and those that are facing tough times.
"But Tickets For Troops is not about welfare. It's about recognising service and demonstrating the nation's gratitude - and it's hugely appreciated by servicemen and women."
Former defence chief Lord David Richards, who was a big supporter of the charity in the early days, said: "Tickets For Troops has provided unique and enduring support to the Armed Forces family and it means so much to all of them and the recognition which it represents.
"Thank you Tickets For Troops. What a fantastic achievement and we cannot thank you enough."
A wide range of sports tickets are available from various sources such as Premier League clubs like Chelsea, who were one of the first supporters of the charity.
There are also tickets available for many clubs in the lower leagues, horseracing at most of the country’s racecourses, tennis, rugby at both club and international level, as well as performances at Cameron McIntosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber theatres, regional theatres and from many music promoters, summer festivals and venues like the Royal Albert Hall, the O2, Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena.
Iconic musicians such as Rod Stewart, Sir Elton John and Robbie Williams have also generously donated tickets.
A spokesperson for the Football Association, which has donated thousands of tickets for England matches at all levels, said: "We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with Tickets For Troops and we are very grateful to the military community for their significant support to our teams and competitions.
"We congratulate them on reaching this significant milestone."
For more information about Tickets For Troops go to ticketsfortroops.org.uk
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