British Forces Foundation
The British Forces Foundation is a British charitable foundation, launched in May 1999 by comedian Jim Davidson to support the well-being of the members of Britain's armed forces though the provision of high quality entertainment. The Prince of Wales is Patron, and former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher was President. Jim Davidson remains Vice President. On the British Forces Foundation website, the current Vice Presidents (as of 29 December 2013) are: HE Mahfouz bin Mahfouz, Major General Arthur Denaro CBE, Admiral Sir Jock Slater GCB LVO DL and General The Lord Guthrie GCB LVO OBE. The current Trustees (as of 29 December 2013) are: Mr Laurie Mansfield (Chairman), WO1 Steve Cass, Air Vice Marshal David Crwys-Williams CB, Sir Gerald Howarth, Miss Katherine Jenkins OBE, Mr Jim Moir, Lieutenant General Peter Pearson CB CBE, Admiral Sir James Perowne KBE and The Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG honFRSE PC.[1]
The BFF stages shows for the forces at home, and in combat zones, and also stages frequent fund-raising events including a polo tournament, and an annual fund-raising auction.
Among the stars to have recently worked with the BFF are Matt Lucas and David Walliams, Ray Winstone, Johnny Vaughan, Katherine Jenkins James Blunt, and Jimmy Carr.
In June 2009 Paralympic gold medalist DameTanni Grey-Thompson visited Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre with the BFF to speak with injured service personnel.
References
- New vice president for BFF (December 29, 2013), Latest News from the BFF, The British Forces Foundation website (http://bff.org.uk)