Katie Melua in Afghanistan with The BFF

21st February 2013

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Katie Melua is in Afghanistan with The British Forces Foundation performing for British troops.

The singer, accompanied by renowned comedians Kane Brown and Nick Page, is traveling with the charity as part of a 3-day tour of military bases in southern Afghanistan.

The first of the concerts was held during a visit to Forward Operating Base Shawqat in Helmand Provinces Nad-e Ali district - home to soldiers from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (1 MERCIAN). The show was held in a tent at the camp's vehicle park.

The tour includes units serving with The British Armys 4th Mechanized Brigade (The Black Rats). Speaking afterwards to The Economic Voice, she said: “It felt like such a special gig – all the soldiers were there and it felt really incredible. I was frankly captivated by the scene, just being out here in the desert, pitch black, just me and my guitar. I hope they liked it as much as I enjoyed being on stage.”

The singer spent the day before the concert touring the Forward Operating Base and speaking to a number of 1 MERCIAN troops on duty at FOB Shawqat.

Katie continued: “It is just incredible to see the troops doing this very unusual and very special job, really trying to move things forward and make things better for the Afghan people. This is really the frontier of history so I feel honoured to have come here.”

Following her meeting with one of the 1 Mercian soldiers, she agreed to a personal request to play his wedding song, Just Like Heaven. Pte Robin Warburton, 31 from Lincoln, explained: “As a big fan of Katie Melua it’s pretty special to see it played live. I’ve got all of her albums and I just appreciate her music.”

Army medic Cpl Cheryl Fray, 31 from Huddersfield, added: “I just think it’s amazing that Katie Melua of all people is here in Afghanistan. I am star struck right now. I could hardly sleep last night just knowing that she was coming here to Shawqat.” Read more: The Econmic Voice

Staff Sergeant Kevin Stacey said: "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 very much appreciated. It is fantastic to know how much support we have out there when we have so much time away from our families. THANK YOU VERY much."

This is the second time Katie has worked with The British Forces Foundation after the singer performed for staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham last December.

To help the British Forces Foundation continue its morale-boosting work please donate £3 by texting the word 'Heroes' to 70099.