Sending a can of London Pride for every UK service person on flight home from Afghanistan

1,920 cans of London Pride will be winging their way from Chiswick to Afghanistan this week after Fuller's Brewery donated one can of beer to every UK service person on a flight home.

‘Beer for the Boys’ campaign is the brainchild of Wing Commander Steve Chadwick, Officer Commanding 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. As alcohol is not available to British troops whilst serving in Afghanistan, the experience of a cool thirst-quencher on the TriStar flight home is all the more special.

Fuller’s donation was accepted on behalf of ‘Beer for the Boys’ by Lance Corporal Harding-Prior, Fusilier Alimo and Fusilier Hughes from the 2nd Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, which is based in Hounslow, close to Fuller’s Griffin Brewery. All three soldiers recently returned from duty in Afghanistan due to injuries sustained in bomb blasts but are on the road to recovery.

John Roberts, managing director of The Fuller’s Beer Company, said, “At Fuller’s, we are all very proud of our service men and women who put their lives on the line every day. We’re delighted to help Wing Commander Chadwick with his ‘Beer for the Boys’ campaign and to be part of a soldier’s homecoming.

“It was an honour to meet Corporal Harding-Prior, Fusilier Alimo and Fusilier Hughes from our local barracks in Hounslow and gain an insight in to how it feels to return home after being away on duty. We hope that our donation gives the soldiers a small taste of home before they land.”

Wing Commander Chadwick said, “The principle behind ‘Beer for the Boys’ is that a single can of cold beer thrust into the hand of a soldier once they are safely away from the ground and out of harm's way marks the point at which he knows he is going home after six months of fighting. It is just a token, but an important one.

“We are so grateful to Fuller’s for their donation and for raising awareness of the cause in their area. Their donation takes us that little bit closer to reaching our goal.”

A pallet of London Pride was delivered to RAF Brize Norton by Fuller’s dray on Tuesday, September 22nd.

To find out more about how you can donate to ‘Beer for the Boys’ visit www.fullers.co.uk, or text BEER to 88886 to donate 15p straight away and receive more information.

September 24, 2009