Led by their captain and BFF Ambassador Anthony White they tamed the winds and the course at the Royal Automobile Club’s beautiful Woodcote Park in Epsom.

There was some stiff opposition from the 15 other teams competing in this the fifth BFF Golf Day Challenge, sponsored by Berenberg Bank, but London Soccerdome’s impressive score of 89 was enough to secure the title.

The emphasis of the day has always been fun. All the golfers met up for registration and enjoyed coffee and bacon butties before the shotgun start and after they’d finished their rounds it was off to the Cedar Room for a meal, prizes presentation and the draw of the raffle.

The British Forces Foundation would like to thank all of the golfers for helping to make the event a successful one. Huge thanks too to Berenberg Bank for their continued sponsorship of the Golf Day Challenge, and to Darius Sarosh of the Erach & Roshan Sadri Foundation for his help and support with the event (congratulations too on his hole in one!).

Pictured are the victorious team from London Soccerdome.

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Months of training paid off in every sense of the word, as the team’s incredible efforts will have raised in excess of £20,000 for the charity’s morale-boosting work for troops.

Leading the pack home in an fantastic sub three and a half hour time of 3:29:27 was Tony Hodge. He was followed over the line five minutes later by Kay Tape in 3::35:16, with Kevin Stollery also in a sub four hour time of 3:55:16.

Then came Jane Walton (pictured) in 4:02:59, Stephen West in 4:03:52, Bill Kennedy in 4:30:04. Mike McCaffrey in 04:31:02 and Frank Saez in 4:58:07. Team BFF runners Chris Maher, Nick Dulson, Tom Burgoine, John Leeder, Justyn Pollock, Greg Johns and Lorraine Melville all completed the 26 and a bit miles gruelling challenge.

Massive congratulations go to them all for their stirling efforts.

Do you have what it takes to tackle the challenge of the Virgin London Marathon? Have you got the determination to complete the 26.2 miles of the most famous race in the world? If you’re up for it then why pull on a BFF vest at the starting line in 2014. The charity is entering a team among the 30,000 plus runners.

We’re not necessarily looking for the fastest but certainly the most committed. Not only must our runners be prepared for the physical feat there’s also the sponsorship challenge too.

The BFF hopes that every member of its team will pledge to raise a minimum of £1,500 for the charity. The task is not for the faint-hearted but for those determined to succeed please visit the website address below.

If you want to apply to be a British Forces Foundation marathon runner go to www.crunch.org.uk/bff. When you register your interest you must indicate that you’ve come through the British Forces Foundation. There is a registration fee of £50.  Please also email us at info@bff.org.uk to inform us of your application.

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This service will not be affected by any sale of Royal Mail. Royal Mail is very proud to deliver a free of charge service to our armed forces undertaking operations. Free post to the armed forces does not depend on Royal Mail remaining in public ownership. The Ministry of Defence fully reimburses Royal Mail for provision of these services. It is a Government decision, not a decision for Royal Mail – whether it is under public or private ownership.

Royal Mail has an opportunity to grow. We can also combine the best of the public and private sectors. Whilst we all now send fewer letters, the growth in online retailing has meant an increase in the number of parcels being sent. We are in a strong position to meet this demand. It already has the largest UK delivery network and we are one of the most trusted companies in the UK. But we need to make significant investment to stay ahead of the competition. The Government’s financial position means that this investment must come from the private sector.

Private investment will allow Royal Mail to grow our parcels business, which in turn will help us to continue to deliver the Universal Postal Service. The Postal Services Act 2011 sets out very clearly the minimum requirements of the Universal Service, which would continue to apply after any sale. These include a uniform, affordable tariff for postal services across the UK – including rural and remote areas – as well as six day a week collection and delivery. Royal Mail is also obliged to meet the highest quality of service standards of any major European country. Again, these will continue to apply to Royal Mail were it to be sold.

The finances of Royal Mail have been transformed in recent years. We were loss making – now we make a good profit. That matters. It enables us to continue to provide a high quality postal service. There is a brighter future for Royal Mail and we are ready to deliver it.

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Trustees Katherine Jenkins, Lord Robertson, Gerald Howarth MP and chairman Laurie Mansfield were all in attendance along with BFF Ambassador ‘Smokey’ Cole and the charity’s director Mark Cann.

It is well documented that Baroness Thatcher was a great supporter and admirer of the Armed Forces and, as such, attended many BFF events as President.

“We are immensely proud to have had Baroness Thatcher as our President from the Charity’s inception in 1999,” said BFF Director Mark Cann.

“She was an active, interested and involved President and was always willing to attend our events whether it be a fund-raising ball or small private dinner.

“I was lucky and privileged to have enjoyed many humorous and inspiring moments with her on many occasions. I regularly briefed her on the work of The BFF and was always grateful for her wise counsel and encouragement. As much as she was a great patriot Lady Thatcher believed in Britain’s citizens and none more so than those in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.

“We are greatly saddened at the loss and send our condolences to her family.”

Signed Limited Edition Baroness Thatcher Lithographic Prints

Speaking about the funeral, Mark Cann said: “She would have loved it. It was an occasion worthy of a Prime Minister who fought and won a war based on principle, who won three elections and who devoted her life to the service of the country. It was brilliantly done.

“With Baroness Thatcher President of The British Forces Foundation we worked closely. I got told off by her on three occasions but she never bore a grudge. There was always laughter and fun around her. It was fascinating being around her.”

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John was the surprise guest at a special dinner for members of the Regiment and their partners to bring the community together for a perfect send-off.

“It was really great fun,” said BFF Director Mark Cann. “John was absolutely fantastic and the event was a real treat for everyone concerned.”

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Funds raised through the partnership will support The BFF’s ongoing initiatives to raise morale among serving members of Britain’s Armed Forces, both on the frontline in Afghanistan and worldwide.

Shane Knight, Sales & Marketing Director commented: “Marlborough Communications is delighted to be supporting The British Forces Foundation.  We were keen to focus the company’s charitable efforts on an organisation who’s commitment to benefiting the serving men and women of our Armed Forces matches our own.

“The BFF’s mission to make a difficult job that little bit easier by boosting morale made them a natural partner for us and and we look forward to working with the team over the next two years.”

Mark Cann, Director of The BFF, said: “The BFF is very grateful to Marlborough Communications. Their support makes an important difference to our ability to carry out our work, but the backing of successful UK businesses such as Marlborough Communications also helps us demonstrate the respect and admiration held for our Armed Forces by the public.”

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Oxlade-Chamberlain took time out from England’s preparations for their upcoming back-to-back 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro to visit the troops who are equally busy themselves preparing for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

One of five Groups that together from 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group the  Royal Engineers that include Chartered Engineers, Garrison Engineers and Clerks of Works, will deploy in May. Working in Camp Bastion and Forward Operating bases across the province the Group will be responsible for the planning, developing and maintaining all infrastructure support to UK forces including the airport and power and life support such as kitchens, hospitals and ablutions.

During Oxlade-Chamberlain’s visit he met a counter-IED instructor who explained the serious threat posed by IEDs, and watched a demonstration before he was put to the test himself.  He passed!

He was also kitted out with the body armour and kit the soldiers will wear whilst serving on Op HERRICK.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “It’s been humbling to come here today to meet the people who serve our country and do a difficult and dangerous job in order to keep us all safe. On behalf of the entire squad, I wish them well on their deployment and our thoughts will be with their friends and families who remain at home.”

LCpl Gareth Mathambo who met the footballer said: “I’m very happy. I’m an Arsenal support, so meeting Alex has made my week. “

And WO2 Dean Treeby said: “Its nice that he made the effort to come and visit us. My daughter Caitlyn (six) is football mad, so she’s over the moon to have met him. Its just great he’s taken the time out, its makes us feel appreciated for the work that we do.”

Through the partnership with the England Footballers Foundation, The BFF will now also benefit from extra time donated by Team England players to lift the spirits of those who are serving the country.

Mark Cann, Chief Executive of The BFF, said: “The British Forces Foundation is delighted to be a partner of the England Footballers Foundation. This association with the England football team provides an important link to home and morale, especially when away from family and friends.

“Working together we hope to demonstrate the England players’ support for our Armed Forces and in so doing thank them for the superb job they do worldwide. I am so grateful to Alex and all the England players for acknowledging and supporting the work, commitment and sacrifice of the men and women serving in our Armed Forces.”

The British Forces Foundation join Rays of Sunshine and the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK as the chosen charity partners of the England Footballers Foundation in the lead up to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. For further information on the England Footballers Foundation and their work with the charity partners visit www.englandfootballersfoundation.com or follow @EFFCharity on Twitter.

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During a hotly contested evening, with only only 12 points separating all the teams, honours were even at the end of the Quiz with Diageo and Boeing both tied on 42. Boeing scooped the prizes during a tie break.

A special mention to Mr Tim Rycroft who formed a breakaway team of one and was only seven points from winning!

Many thanks to everyone that took part to make the evening at The Pembroke such as success and we will see you all next year.

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