Drink a pint to suport Britian's Armed Forces

Tuesday 03 November 2009

Islanders can show their support for Britain’s Armed Forces this month by drinking a pint of local beer.

The Liberation Group, the largest pub and drinks industry organisation in the Channels Islands, is supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal by donating 10p for every pint of Liberation Ale sold in selected managed public houses over the weekend of 7 - 8 November.The participating pubs are the White Hart, the Albion, the Thomas de la Rue and the Deerhound.

Barry Cash, The Guernsey Poppy Appeal organiser, welcomed the news: ’The appeal is our principal source of fundraising, so this additional donation from the Liberation Group will provide a welcome boost.’ He added, ‘It’s also a refreshing form of fundraising that I’m sure servicemen and women of all ages would appreciate.’

Representatives of the Royal British Legion and the Liberation Group were joined by Tania Russell, an islander and serving TA soldier, to launch the drinks group’s military fundraising initiative. Ms Russell recently completed phase 1 of her military training, in preparation for being posted as a driver to 160 Regiment (V), The Royal Logistic Corps, which is based in Grantham, Lincolnshire. She will undergo phase 2 of her training in January, after which she will be qualified to serve anywhere in the world.

The Chief Executive of the Liberation Group, Mark Crowther, commented: ‘Every year we wear our poppy with pride, for two weeks. Yet the work of the Legion continues all year round, so they need to raise as much money as they can.’

Mr Crowther said that the Liberation Group was glad to support the appeal: ‘Members of the Armed Forces deserve our full support at the moment, so what better way to show that than by raising a pint of the Channel Islands’ own ale in their honour?’