Contact:

Beer for the Boys

216 Squadron

RAF Brize Norton

Carterton

Oxfordshire

OX18 3LX

Tel: 01993 897393

General Enquiries: beerfortheboys@216squadron.com

Website problems: krisbrown@216squadron.com

ABOUT BEER FOR THE BOYS:

 

"Beer for the Boys" is the brainchild of Wing Commander Steve Chadwick, formerly Officer Commanding 216 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.  He started the campaign in 2007 with the aim of providing a free can of beer to servicemen and women flying home from Afghanistan on RAF TriStar aircraft, which are operated by 216 Squadron.  Alcohol is not available to British troops whilst serving in the Middle East, making the experience of a cold thirst-quencher on the flight home all the more special.

Gary Linker hands out a well

deserved beer to our lads!

"I felt it would be a nice thing to do after the guys had done their time in theatre, on behalf of a grateful nation and the RAF," said Wing Commander Chadwick.  "The principle is that a single can of cold beer thrust into the hand of a soldier once the TriStar is 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."

Initially the campaign aimed to provide a beer for every service person coming home from Afghanistan during the RIP (Relief in Place) operation, a biannual two-month operation to replace 9,000 troops at the end of their tour.  Wing Commander Chadwick initially approached Scottish and Newcastle Breweries who immediately delivered 8,000 cans of Fosters, and generous donations were subsequently received from the Worshipful Company of Fuellers, the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, the Three Rooms Club and the Stratford-upon-Avon branch of the Aircrew Association.  Grolsch also made a donation of 8000 cans during this period.

One of Rob Hendersons' Caracatures

 

Having received such overwhelming support for his venture, Wing Commander Chadwick decided that he would like to be able to provide every passenger from Afghanistan to the UK with a beer, not just during the RIP periods.  Nearly 1,000 troops return every week from Afghanistan to RAF Brize Norton aboard 216 Squadron TriStars (roughly 45,000 in total during 2008), many of whom are returning home for 2 weeks of rest and recuperation (R&R) in the middle of their tour.  In addition C-17 Globemaster aircraft of 99 Squadron, also operating from RAF Brize Norton, fly troops home from Afghanistan who are just as thirsty!

 

Enjoying their first beer!

 

 

On 3 September 2009 Sam Marsden, a journalist, contacted Steve having read his article in the RAF Brize Norton 'Gateway' magazine.  Sam offered help to increase awareness of Beer for the Boys and on 6 September 2009 Wing Commander Chadwick was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live to publicise his cause. The idea was seized by the local and national media and the cause was further publicised by appearances on BBC News and BBC Radio Derby. By the end of September donations totalling £10,873.90 and 7500 cans and bottles of beer (including 2000 cans of Pedigree from Marston's, 1920 cans of London Pride from Fuller's, 2500 bottles of Coors from MA Bars, 1000 cans of Courage Best from Wells and Young’s and 80 bottles of Tiger Bitter from Everards) had been received at 216 Squadron HQ at RAF Brize Norton. These figures have been increasing ever since, so to see what the current totals are and who has made a donation to help achieve them, please click here.  If you would like to help, please click here or the button at the top of the page to find out how to donate.