Soldiers offered free tickets as thanks
By Emmeline Saunders
Soldiers from the armed forces will be given free tickets to football matches and gigs in recognition of their services.
Footballer Gary Lineker and David Cameron joined Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC today to launch Tickets for Troops (T4T), which offers tickets to all serving military personnel and veterans who have been discharged through injury since 2001.
Mr Cameron announced his plans to set up the project in July this year, but T4T will not be formally affiliated to the Conservatives.
The leader of the opposition said: “Tickets 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.”
The tickets, for events such as football and cricket matches, boxing contests, theatre performances and gigs, will be available from today for a donation of £1 on the T4T website for eligible servicemen and women.
LC Johnson Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his courageous acts in Iraq, said: “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.”
The donations generated from each ticket will be distributed across service charities.
