The Not Forgotten, a British Armed Forces charity which supports serving and ex-service men and women is delighted to announce the launch of Jingle Bell Rock, a nationwide, live, drive-in concert tour that will bring Christmas to the countries veterans.
The charity aims to entertain, boost morale and lift lockdown spirits by reaching some 1300 veterans across the country during the 12-venue tour.
Jingle Bell Rock will bring a feast of festivities to veterans and their guests, many of whom have experienced extreme loneliness and isolation during recent months, with an interactive entertainment programme featuring singing, dancing, games and a few surprises.
To complete the Christmas party feel, a hog roast with all the trimmings will be served to guests which will be enjoyed from the safety and warmth of their cars.
The concerts have been arranged in strict accordance with local and government COVID-19 guidelines and will be held in car parks at airports and leading outdoor venues.
Veterans and guests in their ‘bubble’, will arrive in cars and each will be parked at a specified distance from others, so weather permitting, veterans can get in the swing of things outside their car and dance the afternoon away – in safety.
The Not Forgotten professional entertainment team will perform a set of popular classics and festive favourites so veterans can enjoy an entertaining singalong and a fun-packed afternoon after spending so many weeks in lockdown.
Commenting on the launch, Brigadier James Stopford, CBE, CEO of The Not Forgotten said:
“Sadly, so many events to commemorate VE Day, VJ Day and D Day could not take place properly this year and we’ve had to put our traditional Christmas parties for veterans on hold.
“But it is a year when we need to do more for those who have really felt the restrictions. So, we’ve improvised, adapted and overcome the obstacles and are bringing some much-needed cheer, fun and entertainment to those that have served our country by offering them some early Christmas celebrations.
“One hundred years ago soprano Marta Cunningham founded The Not Forgotten based on the principles of providing entertainment and recreation to those who have worn their nation’s uniform and now suffer and we are delighted that to this day, a big part of our work continues to bring entertainment to veterans we support across the UK.”
