Come to Troops Day at the Ideal Home Show – 16 March
As the hugely successful Ideal Homes for Heroes appeal enters its third year, celebrate with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the organisers of the Ideal Home Show at a very special Troops Day on 16 March.
Below is a complete schedule of everything we have planned. From the grand opening of the appeal by the incredible Band of the Grenadier Guards to our new must-see stand design and celebrity guests, there’s something for pretty much everyone.
There’s even a very special guest coming along to the show who will make an appearance at our stand sometime late morning. We can’t tell you who it is yet because it’s all under wraps but if you check back here a couple of days before the event we should be able to make an announcement!
We are still looking for volunteers to take part in the bucket collection and help us on the stand so, if you can spare a few hours somewhere between 16 March and 1 April, please get in touch with Sarah-Jane Seel on 0845 241 4820 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . In return you’ll get free access to the show, a nice lunch and a rather fetching T-shirt to wear, which you are welcome to take home with you. This show is our biggest opportunity to fundraise for the Ideal Homes for Heroes appeal so any volunteers would be very welcome.
Troops Day schedule
10.00am – The Band of the Grenadier Guards will perform outside Earls Court 1. This will be followed by a speech from Major General George Norton (who is the General Officer Commanding London District and Major-General commanding the Household Division) about the appeal and how it helps the Army.
10.15am – The special guest arrives to open the show!
10.20am onwards – Come and meet celebrity builder Tommy Walsh and TV Chef Dick Strawbridge and his son James, also a keen chef, on our stand (no. 1H11). We also have a brand new Army-themed stand design for 2012, designed by Katie Merrick (who designed last year’s stunning ceremonial dress-inspired living room scene) Joanne Pemberton, and new appeal merchandise including a medal ribbon tea-towel. Before you go, make sure you leave a message for our troops on one of our special appeal postcards.
2pm – Visit the Celebrity Chef Theatre to witness our Big Curry special, with two Army chefs doing the cooking and Dick Strawbridge as compere you’ll pick up new recipes and learn about our Big Curry fundraising event later in the year. Who knows, you may even get to taste some of the dishes as well, though you’ll have to fight our hungry cadets for them, and maybe the odd Chelsea Pensioner too!
To book tickets, go to www.idealhomeshow.co.uk
Ideal Home for Heroes Appeal
The Ideal Home Show teamed up with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity to launch the appeal in 2010. The Ideal Home Show, and visitors to the Show’s three annual events, support the appeal through ticket sales, donations and by purchasing appeal merchandise.
The appeal provides funding for much-needed adaptations to the homes of army veterans severely wounded during service. The appeal also addresses problems such as homelessness and helps families who can’t afford basics like carpets and furniture.
So far the appeal has raised £250,000. Find out how this money has been used to help soldiers here
We need to raise £1million by 2014. Click here to find out how you can help us do this.
