England Footballers Foundation partners BFF

22nd March 2013

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England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recently joined members of 66 Works Group Royal Engineers at Chetwynd Barracks to officially commence the 18 month partnership between the England Footballers Foundation and The British Forces Foundation.

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.