Testimonials

The BFF package you brought to Op TOSCA and Ledra Palace was unique. Can I reinforce our collective thanks for the British Forces Foundation resolving the issue that Op TOSCA is not funded to have its own on-site show.The Foundation saved the day and addressed the moral component with agility and simplicity – refreshing beyond belief. I am extremely grateful as it allowed me to further bond a disparate and composite organisation at the end of the first month of our tour under one roof. How do you put a financial value on that? Thank you for investing in the moral component of fighting power – I am indebted as a Unit Commander, so too should the Chain of Command be.

Lt Col Richard Walker
Commanding Officer, Sector 2, United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

As you are aware the training tempo at CTCRM is relentless and this is doubly true for the instructors and recruits in Commando Training Wing. It is a rare occasion when we are able to gather as a complete wing in an informal social gathering and the value of your entertainers to enhance the festive, jovial and relaxed atmosphere cannot be overestimated. Your sponsors should be in no doubt that The British Forces Foundation show was exceedingly well received on the night and your staff should be justifiably proud of their endeavours.

Lt Col Mike Geldard
CO Commando Training Wing, CTCRM

I know well the scale of effort which goes into such a spectacular show, the commitment – gratis – of the acts and the good will they bring. It has been a long and challenging 2013 for 40 Commando but having the icing on the cake the BFF provides is a fitting end to their endeavours. We are immensely grateful to you, the team and the acts for their unerring support.

Lt Col Alex Janzen OBE
HQ 40 Commando Royal Marines

Thank you very much for organising what I know has been a hugely well received visit by Katherine. We continue to benefit greatly from the support of BFF and I very much look forward to working with you over my time in PJHQ.

Brig Duncan Capps,| Assistant Chief of Staff J1/J4. Permanent Joint Headquaters

I have just watched Katie Melua perform at LashKah Gar and would like to express my gratitude to your organisation for giving us the opportunity to see her out here. It is fantastic to know how much support we have out there when we have so much time away from our families.

SSgt Kevin Stacey RE

All of the acts were excellent – it seemed as though we were having our own mini Royal Variety Show! Please be assured that it has made a real difference for us all.

Padre Jonathan Daniel
QEBH

The night has gone down in regimental history. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for delivering every way.

Capt Andrew Bond
3rd Yorkshire Regt

I can remember when I joined the RAF and was discouraged from wearing uniform in public. With the help of charities like The British Forces Foundation the same public are now recognizing the sacrifices we all make every time we say goodbye to our loved ones.

Sgt Dan Milward
RAF Leeming

The BFF put on a fantastic show for the members of the Battlegroup in a glittering event in the evening after our Medals Parade. It not only brought what had been an hugely enjoyable day to a memorable close, but it demonstrated the breadth and depth of support for the Riflemen, their families and the work that they do. Tremendous.

Lt Col JAD de Labilliere

Would just like to say a quick thanks for the excellent show that was put on for 7th Armoured Brigade recently. It was a great night and something that came as a complete shock to me. Very well organised and the behind the scenes effort that must have went in would have been no easy task. So again i would just like to say thank you very much for all the hard work.

LCpl Nixon
32 Engr Regt LAD

Let me thank you once again for all the marvellous work that you and your team at The BFF do for our forces. I very much recognise and welcome the huge contribution that this makes to the welfare and morale of our Service personnel.

Secretary of State for Defence
The Rt Hon Bob Ainsowrth MP

The aim of providing a thank you to the NHS and military staff who look after injured and wounded Service personnel at Selly Oak and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals was fully achieved and the event was enormously well received by everybody. Mission accomplished.

CO
Royal Centre for Defence Medicine

We all absolutely loved the amazing BFF show you put on for the Battalion and, more importantly it really makes the guys feel that they are appreciated – in itself a key element in the readjustment to the home front.

CO
1st Battalion Welsh Guards

The work of the Foundation continues to provide vital support to the Armed Forces – it has never been more in demand and necessary. These turbulent times require extraordinary things of our troops, and the contribution of The BFF makes it all that little bit easier for us all.

Brig
Headquarters 16 Air Assault Brigade

What the Foundation has given us by supporting this event is priceless; a knowledge that what we did in Afghanistan is appreciated and acknowledged by those outside the military. What The Briitish Forces Foundation does is very special and without doubt makes a significant difference to the ‘moral health’ of the British Army.

Lt Col
1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, Brunei

It is an extremely generous, time-consuming and selfless gesture to travel to Afghanistan and bring so much joy to the troops in this hostile environment.

Col
HQ UK Task Force Lashkar Gah

This was the first opportunity that I have had to attend one of the shows, and I have to say that it exceeded all expectations. Katherine and Jim presented a wonderful window when reality ceased to exist for all of us who attended.

Capt
45 CDO RM, Afghanistan

Christmas was a hard time for all of us. I was apart from my husband and daughters (aged one and three). It was hugely appreciated that these people had made the effort to come and entertain us, so close to their own family Christmases.

Regimental Medical Officer
1 Bn RIRs

I know the work of The British Forces Foundation is much valued by the Armed Forces, in particular the way you encourage a dazzling array of performers to entertain personnel in the most hostile of environments.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown

It was a real pleasure to host you all. BFF most certainly achieved the aim. The lads are still talking about it now and it was a huge success. Many thanks for all your efforts.

Wg Cdr Wayne Loxton
Basrah

It was a night that will linger long in the memory for everyone who was there, indeed it must go down as the most remarkable CSE type show that I have ever seen. There are not many of us here and it is a real fillip to morale to know that the crucial work being undertaken here is not being forgotten at home.

Maj Gen Chris Steirn
Kosovo

It was a most excellent evening, enjoyed enormously by all those fortunate enough to attend. Such was the impact that little else has been talked of since and our American guests in particular have been wholesome in their praise. It is so good that there are still a few things that the Brits can do better than our US colleagues.

Lt Col Christopher Joynson
KFOR Liaison Officer

It made my soldiers feel like they had not been forgotten. That you journeyed out for no reward to this sad country (Iraq) at Christmas time is a huge tribute. The British Forces Foundation is well respected, its work is appreciated and we all admire your dedication.

Brig
7th Armd Brigade

This was the most moving experience I have ever felt. Thank you for an outstanding show, it had so much emotion and really meant a lot to me to know that the country really does care.

FS Pyshorn
1 Sqn RAF Regt, Basra Air Station

I’ve been in the Army 32 years and I never thought to see 600 soldiers sit rapt with attention to opera; it was a riveting effect. The only topic of general conversation among those lucky enough to see the show is the BFF visit.

GOC
HQ Multinational Division, Basra

It was an outstanding night’s entertainment – one that you should be proud of, taking into consideration the many flattering remarks I have been receiving.

Major
SAS

Having spoken at length to the Marines I can honestly say that all who attended the Bardu concert had an excellent night and, according to one Marine, you’re a ‘hoofing bloke’.

CO
42 Commando

The impact these shows on the individual Marines cannot be underestimated particularly when known stars take time out of a busy schedule at no cost, which is often a surprise to the Marines and one that they fully appreciate. It not only provides quality entertainment for the individuals but also demonstrates genuine appreciation for what they endure in order to deliver the end result. More importantly it also introduces some alternative fun into a busy schedule which has been sadly lacking over the last few years due to back-to-back operations and deployments.

Commandant General Royal Marines

I fully understand how difficult it was to organise this show and there were a significant number of hurdles to overcome. It would have been easy for any of us to give up at any point but none of us did. For that I really do thank you.

Capt CinC Fleet

It means a great deal to me when somebody like you makes the time to pay a tribute to my soldiers. It makes them feel very special, which they are. Thank you.

Lt Col 1
Cheshire Regt

A great show, thoroughly enjoyed and a perfect curtain-raiser for Christmas.

SAS Regt

The UK soldiers of IMATT feel loved again and have all gone back up country, or to work, very content, re-telling the jokes over to each other. You guys are brilliant for delivering the whole thing – and for free!.

Lt Col Imatt
Sierra Leone

It was much appreciated that you and your team took the time to put on a performance that will be talked about for a long time. It was a remarkable night.

SAS

From all of us in British Forces Gibraltar, thank you for your visit and such an outstanding show. It really was marvellous entertainment and the feedback has been very upbeat indeed; so many people remarked that they have never laughed so much in their lives.

Cmdre Royal Navy
Gibraltar

A very big and heartfelt thank you for your extremely generous gift – it was very much appreciated. At a time when the press was particularly scathing about our efforts out in Afghanistan, whilst we were working in some of the most extreme conditions ever encountered, it was a great morale booster to know that someone was supporting us.

Lt Col Royal Marines

Too often we get the impression that the performers we see care little for us – nothing could be further from the truth with the team you brought. I was genuinely touched by the interest they all showed in us.

CO 45 Cdo
Arbroath

The performances in Hammersmith and Ali Al Salem were extremely well received and enjoyed by all, providing a well-earned morale boost for all those who attended. On behalf of the troops please pass on my thanks to all those involved in the British Forces Foundation for the excellent work you do.

Col
HQ Iraq

Being away from home over Christmas can be difficult, especially for the families left behind, but it is certainly made much easier knowing we can count on such solid support from people like yourselves.

Cmdr Royal Navy

The support we received is very much appreciated and it helped to get people through some difficult times. There is no denying that this Gulf War has been much harder, more violent and more brutal than was expected.

Lt Col
2RTR

You have done a very great deal for all the Services. Many Servicemen and women from around the world owe you a lot.

Chief of the Defence Staff

It was an absolutely brilliant show put on for free for the forces personnel and dependents in Germany – Status Quo were amazing. I think you are all to be commended for putting yourself out to arrange events like this that really do make a difference.

GOC
1 UK Armd Div

Your visit was definitely a high point in a period of time that had many lows and we will never forget that.

Cpl
Macedonia